Bullying Victimization among Thai Lower Secondary School Students: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and the Protective Role of Self-Esteem

Abstract

Background:
Bullying victimization among adolescents represents a major and growing public mental health concern worldwide. Extensive evidence has demonstrated that exposure to bullying during adolescence is associated with a wide range of adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, psychosocial distress, substance use, and suicidal behaviors. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to rapid developmental transitions, heightened sensitivity to peer evaluation, and increasing exposure to digital and online environments. Despite the recognized public health significance of bullying, empirical evidence from Thailand that comprehensively examines multiple forms of bullying victimization and psychosocial protective factors remains limited.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 220 lower secondary school students (Grades 7–9) selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographic characteristics, the Thai version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES-TR-10), and the Revised Olweus Bullying Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ-R), which assesses seven domains of bullying victimization: physical, verbal, social, property-related, threats/harassment, bias-based, and cyberbullying. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Bullying victimization was highly prevalent, particularly verbal (75.9%) and social bullying (74.5%), followed by physical bullying (62.0%). Approximately one-third of students reported experiences of property-related bullying, threats/harassment, bias-based bullying, and cyberbullying (35.0–36.8%). Female students were significantly more likely to experience verbal and social bullying, while lower grade levels were associated with higher risks of physical bullying and threats/harassment. Family income was significantly associated with physical bullying victimization. Self-esteem emerged as the strongest protective factor, significantly reducing the likelihood of victimization across multiple domains. Academic performance was significantly associated with cyberbullying victimization.
Conclusions:
Bullying victimization among Thai lower secondary school students remains highly prevalent and constitutes a substantial public mental health burden. Psychosocial forms of bullying exceed physical violence, underscoring the need for early mental health–oriented prevention strategies. Self-esteem plays a robust protective role across multiple forms of bullying victimization. School-based mental health promotion programs that strengthen self-esteem and target high-risk groups are essential for improving adolescent mental well-being and advancing Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4.