UC Davis Study Reveals Alarming Bullying Rates Among AAPI Youth in California
A UC Davis study finds high rates of bullying among Asian American and Pacific Islander youth in California, with Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students facing the highest risks. (Shutterstock)
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Bullying is a persistent issue among Asian American and Pacific Islander youth in California, concludes a recent UC Davis study.
The study pinpoints at-risk groups and high-bullying regions for the first time. Based on data from more than 300,000 AAPI students surveyed between 2015 and 2021, key findings include:
- At-Risk Groups: Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students face the highest bullying rates among AAPI youth and statewide.
- Bullying Rates: Among AAPI youth in California are disproportionately high, with over a third experiencing bullying in 9th grade between 2017 and 2019.
- Lasting Effects: Despite the resilience of AAPI youth, bullying can have significant detrimental effects on their well-being, including anxiety, depression, and internalizing behavior problems, with potential long-term implications into adulthood.
- Pandemic Impact: Anti-AAPI bullying decreased during school closures (2019-2020) but rebounded sharply post-reopening, particularly affecting Cambodian, Hmong, and Laotian students.
- Regional Hotspots: Central Coast, Southern San Joaquin Valley, and Inland Empire have the highest rates of anti-AAPI bullying.
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The study recommends enhancing school climates, strengthening anti-bullying resources, and engaging AAPI families to combat this issue.
For more details, visit UC Davis SPARC.
