Purpose: The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of bullying victimization among Korean adolescents and to investigate the correlates.

Methods: Of a total of 3,200 eligible subjects, 2,936 (91.8%) adolescents were recruited from four elementary schools (6^th grade, age range: 11-12 years), five middle schools (8^th grade, age range: 13-14 years) and three high schools (10^th grade, age range: 15-18 years) located in the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea. This study used a self-reported questionnaire concerning sociodemographic factors and experience of bullying victimization, and the Korean form of Childrenʼs Depression Inventory (CDI) for depressive symptoms. This study was approved by the Jeju National University Hospital Review Board.

Results: Among the total 2936 students, there were 1689 boys (57.5%) and 1247 girls (42.5%). The mean ± standard deviation age was 13.83 ± 1.42 years. The prevalence of bullying victimization was 8.2% (n=240). Bullying victimization was significantly associated with girls (OR=1.775, p<0.001), lower age (OR=0.868, p=0.008), lower SES (OR=1.666, p=0.033), lower than average academic achievement (OR=1.765, p=<0.0010), more depressive symptoms (OR=1.877, p<0.001) and poorer perceived relationship with parents (OR=1.462, p=0.049) in multivariate logistic analysis.

Conclusions: Our findings will provide scholars and public health practitioners information on the prevalence and correlates of bullying victimization that is a risk factors for later behavioral and emotional problems.

Keywords: Bullying, Adolescents, Risk factors, Korea