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Changes in Bullying Experiences and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece

Author

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  • Georgios Giannakopoulos

    (Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children′s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Foivos Zaravinos-Tsakos

    (Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children′s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Maria Mastrogiannakou

    (Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children′s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Andre Sourander

    (Department of Child Psychiatry, Clinical Medicine, Turku University, 20521 Turku, Finland)

  • Gerasimos Kolaitis

    (Department of Child Psychiatry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aghia Sophia” Children′s Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Bullying poses significant challenges to adolescent health and well-being. This time-trend study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bullying behaviors and associated emotional and behavioral difficulties among Greek adolescents. Data were collected from two cross-sectional surveys in 2016 ( n = 1574) and 2023 ( n = 5753) conducted in Greece. Both samples comprised students aged 12–16 years, with near-equal gender distribution (2016, 53.4% girls; 2023, 54.5% girls) and a predominance of urban residents (approximately 73% in both samples). Traditional and cyberbullying experiences were assessed via structured questionnaires, while mental health outcomes were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Post-pandemic findings revealed substantial increases in bullying involvement; traditional bullying victimization rose from 12.4% to 21.7%, and cyberbullying victimization increased from 4.0% to 11.6%. Correspondingly, mean SDQ total scores increased significantly from 8.59 to 14.16, reflecting heightened emotional and behavioral problems. Logistic regression analyses identified male gender, urban residence, and non-traditional family structures as significant predictors of bullying involvement. These results underscore the amplified burden of bullying and mental health difficulties in the post-pandemic era, highlighting the urgent need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies to address both traditional and cyberbullying within diverse sociodemographic contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgios Giannakopoulos & Foivos Zaravinos-Tsakos & Maria Mastrogiannakou & Andre Sourander & Gerasimos Kolaitis, 2025. "Changes in Bullying Experiences and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:497-:d:1620681
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tasos Stylianou & Konstantinos Ntelas, 2023. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Socioeconomic Aspects in Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.
    2. Stella Ladi & Angelos Angelou & Dimitra Panagiotatou, 2022. "Regaining Trust: Evidence-Informed Policymaking during the First Phase of the Covid-19 Crisis in Greece," South European Society and Politics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 551-576, October.
    3. Rosa Bosch & Mireia Pagerols & Raquel Prat & Gemma Español-Martín & Cristina Rivas & Montserrat Dolz & Josep Maria Haro & Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga & Marta Ribasés & Miquel Casas, 2022. "Changes in the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Associated Factors and Life Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-17, March.
    4. K. T. A. Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna & Andree Hartanto & Crystal H. Y. Chen & Eddie M. W. Tong & Nadyanna M. Majeed, 2025. "Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 101-132, January.
    5. Muthanna Samara & Bruna Da Silva Nascimento & Aiman El-Asam & Sara Hammuda & Nabil Khattab, 2021. "How Can Bullying Victimisation Lead to Lower Academic Achievement? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Mediating Role of Cognitive-Motivational Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-21, February.
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