The Mark of a Food Allergy Label: The Role of School Accommodation Policies

• In Event: Bullying: Impacts on Students and Teachers

Abstract

Research has indicated that bullying among children with food allergies occurs at a high rate. Much of this research is limited by only looking at small, individual school samples and fails to consider factors that can explain the high rates of bullying among this population. This study examines the prevalence of bullying among children with food allergies and the extent to which specific school accommodation policies relate to bullying using a labeling framework. Data were collected through a web-based international survey of parents of children with food allergies from several online social support groups (N = 522). Preliminary results reveal that about 30% of children with food allergies were known to be bullied in the past year, as reported by their parents. Preliminary results also show school accommodation policies that draw more attention to the food allergy status of the child (i.e., distinct lunch tables, self-carry rescue medication, and personal aids) are related to increased bullying; whereas school accommodation policies that conceal the food allergy status of the child (i.e., no food allergens allowed in the classroom) are related to decreases in bullying.

Authors

• Gregory C Rocheleau, Youngstown State University

• Brandy N Rocheleau, Youngstown State University