Bullying experience of adolescents with disabilities from the parents’ perspective: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Bullying is a significant and widespread problem all around the world. Adolescents with disabilities (AWD) experience bullying at statistically higher rates and are more likely to be targeted than their peers without disabilities. Despite the seriousness of the problem, there are not enough efficient interventions or population empowerment initiatives. However, barely any study has been done regarding this issue in Bangladesh. Aims: The study aimed to explore bullying experience of adolescents with disabilities from their parents' perspective. Methodology: This study was conducted by the phenomenological approach of qualitative research design. Nine parents of adolescents were included through purposive sampling. Parents of AWD with cerebral palsy, down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder aged 13 to 15 years were selected for the study. The data were collected from three special schools and one inclusive school in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to take participants' interviews through a self-developed interview guide. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2013) six-step thematic analysis process. Results: Six themes were uncovered about the adolescents' bullying experiences regarding 1) Parental opinion regarding bullying, 2) Different form of bullying, 3) Ways of sharing incidence with parents, 4) Social aspects, 5) Psychosocial aspects, and finally, 6) Coping strategies taken by the parents. The study highlights parental ignorance, safety concern, and psychosocial well-being about bullying events. Parents also revealed how AWD were bullied by peer groups, close relatives, and neighbours based on physical appearances, unique intelligence, superstition of community people, and the influential social status of parents. Conclusions: Bullying has a significant effect on the well-being of AWD and their parents, which emphasises the need for parental education and experts to combat this adverse issue. To ensure equal opportunity for AWD, occupational therapists should facilitate preventive strategies and anti-bullying programs by maximising advocacy at several levels among AWD, parents, special educators, the community, and policymakers. Keywords: Bullying, experience, victimization, adolescents with disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, parents, perception.