Food allergy‐related bullying: Risk factors and psychosocial functioning

Ianthe R. M. Schepel; Tori Humiston; Gabrielle D'Ambrosi; Roxanne Dupuis; Michael C. Monuteaux; Linda J. Herbert; Michael C. Young; Scott H. Sicherer; Catherine C. Peterson; Wanda Phipatanakul; Lisa M. Bartnikas

doi:10.1111/pai.70081

journal article Apr 01, 2025

Food allergy‐related bullying: Risk factors and psychosocial functioning

Ianthe R. M. Schepel Tori Humiston

Gabrielle D'Ambrosi Roxanne Dupuis

Michael C. Monuteaux Linda J. Herbert Michael C. Young Scott H. Sicherer Catherine C. Peterson Wanda Phipatanakul Lisa M. Bartnikas

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Vol. 36 No. 4 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/pai.70081

Abstract

Abstract

Background
Food allergy (FA)‐related bullying is common, yet little is known about risk factors for FA‐related bullying or the relationship between FA‐related bullying and psychosocial wellbeing. This study aimed to (1) identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with risk of FA‐related bullying in children with FA, and (2) evaluate the psychosocial functioning of children and parents reporting FA‐related bullying.

Methods
This was a cross‐sectional survey study of children ages 5–17 years with immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated FA and their parents, recruited from Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) and through social media outlets. Children and parents with versus without a history of FA‐related bullying were compared on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and FA‐related psychosocial outcomes using validated instruments.

Results

In this cohort of 295 child–parent dyads, the median child age was 8.0 years, 53.2% of children were male, and parent respondents were primarily mothers (96.6%). Reported lifetime prevalence of FA‐related bullying was 36.6%. FA‐related bullying was associated with certain child characteristics, including coming from a household at risk of food insecurity (FI) (12.0% of bullied children v. 2.2% of not bullied children were from food insecure households,
p
< .001), having coexisting atopic and mental health conditions—particularly anxiety (30.6% of bullied children v. 8.6% of not bullied children carried an anxiety disorder diagnosis,
p
< .001)—and having a history of more severe FA reactions. FA‐related bullying was associated with elevated concerns in child and parental FA‐related psychosocial functioning domains.

Conclusion
Pediatricians and allergists should screen for FA‐related bullying and offer families appropriate guidance around management of FA‐related bullying.

Topics

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Metrics

4

Citations

48

References

Details

Published: Apr 01, 2025
Vol/Issue: 36(4)
License: View

Authors

I

Ianthe R. M. Schepel

Division of Immunology Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA; Department of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA

T

Tori Humiston

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston Massachusetts USA

G

Gabrielle D'Ambrosi

Biostatistics and Research Design Center Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA

R

Roxanne Dupuis

Department of Population Health NYU Grossman School of Medicine New York New York USA

M

Michael C. Monuteaux

Biostatistics and Research Design Center Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA

L

Linda J. Herbert

Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health Children's National Hospital Washington District of Columbia USA; Department of Pediatrics George Washington University School of Medicine Washington District of Columbia USA

M

Michael C. Young

Division of Immunology Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA; Department of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA

S

Scott H. Sicherer

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA

C

Catherine C. Peterson

Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte North Carolina USA

W

Wanda Phipatanakul

Division of Immunology Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA; Department of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA

L

Lisa M. Bartnikas

Division of Immunology Boston Children's Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA; Department of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA

Funding

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Cite This Article

Ianthe R. M. Schepel, Tori Humiston, Gabrielle D'Ambrosi, et al. (2025). Food allergy‐related bullying: Risk factors and psychosocial functioning. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 36(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.70081

Food allergy‐related bullying: Risk factors and psychosocial functioning

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