To investigate the relations between acting the bully, being bullied, seeing someone bullied and depression in children.

108 children (6 to 13 years of age, students of one school - 1st to 7th grade) participated in this study. They completed questionnaires regarding acting the bully, being bullied and seeing someone bullied. The questionnaires include 5 psychological bully questions respectively, and they consist of 15 questions. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Japanese-version was also completed by the children.

12 children scored 16 or higher on CES-D. The children were supposed depression. 50 children answered “yes” to one or more question of 5 ones with regard to acting the bully. They were supposed acting the bully. 67 children and 75 children were supposed being bullied and seeing someone bullied respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether acting the bully, being bullied and seeing someone bullied were associated with depression.Being bullied was significantly associated with depression [Odds ratio 21.82 (95% confidence limits 1.86-256.20)]. Acting the bully was associated with depression [Odds ratio 4.681(95% confidence limits 0.767-28.580)]. Seeing someone bullied had no association with depression [Odds ratio 0.10(95% confidence limits 0.01-0.74)].

Being bullied greatly affected the emotion. Younger children are said to be more likely to be victims of bullying. Appropriate interventions in the school children are needed.