@article {42220,
	title = {Changes in Bullying Experiences and Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece},
	journal = {Int J Environ Res Public Health},
	volume = {22},
	year = {2025},
	pages = {497},
	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{\textendash}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.},
	url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/4/497},
	author = {Giannakopoulos, Georgios and Zaravinos-Tsakos, Foivos and Maria Mastrogiannakou and Sourander, Andre and Kolaitis, Gerasimos}
}
