A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Bullying Victimization and Unprotected Sex Among School-Going Adolescents in Argentina: Moderating Role of Parental Emotional Support
Authors: Dadras, Omid
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publishing place: HEIDELBERG
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Journal of child and adolescent trauma
Journal name in source: Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
Journal acronym: J CHILD ADOLES TRAUM
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 1936-1521
eISSN: 1936-153X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-025-00730-0
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-025-00730-0
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499600331
Bullying, both traditional and cyber, is a pervasive issue affecting adolescents, leading to mental health issues and risky sexual behaviors. This study investigates the sex-specific relationship between bullying victimization and unprotected sex among school-going adolescents in Argentina, examining the moderating role of parental emotional support. Secondary data from the 2018 Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey was analyzed, including 25,892 sexually active adolescents aged 12-17. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between traditional bullying/cyberbullying and unprotected sex, stratified by sex. The moderating effect of parental emotional support was examined among bullying victims. Traditional bullying was higher among male students (27% vs. 23% in females) and was associated with higher odds of unprotected sex among males (AOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.75) but not among females. Cyberbullying was higher among females (21% vs. 14% in males) and significantly increased the likelihood of unprotected sex among females (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.74) but not among males. Parental emotional support showed a protective effect against unprotected sex for cyberbullied females (AOR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.96) but not for traditionally bullied adolescents of either sex. The study reveals gender-specific associations between bullying victimization and unprotected sex among Argentine adolescents. Parental emotional support appears to moderate this relationship, particularly for cyberbullied females. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive interventions addressing both bullying prevention and sexual health education, emphasizing the importance of parental support in mitigating risky sexual behaviors among bullied adolescents.
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Funding information in the publication:
We would like to thank the World Health Organization NCD Microdata Repository for granting usaccess to Argentina GSHS 2018.
