Victimization by Bullying and Attachment to Parents and Teachers Among Student Who Report Learning Disorders and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

This is the first study examining the association between victimization by bullying and attachment to both parents and teachers among students who report Learning Disorders (LD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A total of 1,691 seventh- and eighth-grade students in six junior high schools completed questionnaires about LD/ADHD diagnosis, victimization, and attachment to mother, father, and teacher. A regression analysis was conducted to estimate the probability for victimization (infrequent and frequent) through the various variables. Only students who reported both LD and ADHD (but not one of them) were at greater risk of frequent victimization compared with students who did not report LD/ADHD. In addition, having a secure attachment pattern to mother was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of being frequently bullied. Attachment patterns to father and teacher were not significantly associated with victimization group membership. Results suggest that children’s perception of support and attachment to mother is important above and beyond their report on LD/ADHD diagnosis.