Traumatic and Psychosomatic Symptoms in Children Exposed to Peer Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract Introduction This study examines the prevalence of bullying among primary school students in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), analyses gender differences, and assesses its association with traumatic and psychosomatic symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among students in grades seven to nine. Participants were categorised based on bullying involvement as victims, bullies, bully/victims, or uninvolved. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to measure bullying exposure and assess psychosomatic and trauma-related symptoms. Results In total, 13.3% of the students identified as victims, 3.1% as bullies, and 4.4% as both. Victims and bully/victims reported significantly higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints) and trauma-related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, dissociation) than uninvolved students. Bully/victims showed the highest overall burden, suggesting compounded vulnerability. Conclusions These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, context-sensitive prevention strategies. Training school staff to recognise emotional and somatic distress, integrating basic screening tools into school and primary health services, and enhancing intersectoral collaboration are critical steps in ensuring early identification and adequate support for affected students.