Bullying Facts and Background
- Bullying is a risk factor for suicidal ideation.
- Bullying falls into four categories: direct physical, direct-verbal, indirect-relational, cyber.
- Those involved with bullying are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, and violent behaviors; bullying frequently leads to psychiatric problems later in life.
- Research shows that involvement in bullying, either as a victim
or bully, has been related to the development of psychological
distress, poor psychosocial adjustment, heightened anxiety,
lower self-worth, and depressive symptoms. (Kochenderfer-Ladd
& Skinner, 2002; Nansel et al., 2001)
- Being a bully has been associated with academic problems,
externalizing problems, poor psychosocial adjustment, and
delinquency post early adolescence
- Cross-sectional studies of bullying over time indicate that
bullying increases between elementary and middle school and
then again directly following the transition to high school.
- Increase in bullying is accompanied by a shift of attitudes about
the use of aggression; aggression is commonly viewed as less
negative by peers during adolescence.
- Bullies are likely to become more popular as they get older.
- Victims of bullies are more likely to get rejected by peers and
have fewer friends as they get older.
- Notable gender differences
- Boys are more likely to engage in bullying behavior than girls, and bullying behavior tends to peak in middle school and then decrease
- Boys are more likely to engage in direct bullying (verbal or physical) whereas girls are more likely to involve in indirect bullying (relational or social)
- Boys who engage in infrequent bullying are not associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation
- Conversely bullied female teens conversely have higher suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, even though fewer woman have conduct problems
- Suggests Males may have more innate aggression
- Suggests when Females do show conduct problems may be a sign of other serious underlying causes
- Bullying is a risk factor for suicidal ideation.
- Bullying falls into four categories: direct physical, direct-verbal, indirect-relational, cyber.
- Those involved with bullying are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, and violent behaviors; bullying frequently leads to psychiatric problems later in life.
- Research shows that involvement in bullying, either as a victim
or bully, has been related to the development of psychological
distress, poor psychosocial adjustment, heightened anxiety,
lower self-worth, and depressive symptoms. (Kochenderfer-Ladd
& Skinner, 2002; Nansel et al., 2001) - Being a bully has been associated with academic problems,
externalizing problems, poor psychosocial adjustment, and
delinquency post early adolescence - Cross-sectional studies of bullying over time indicate that
bullying increases between elementary and middle school and
then again directly following the transition to high school. - Increase in bullying is accompanied by a shift of attitudes about
the use of aggression; aggression is commonly viewed as less
negative by peers during adolescence. - Bullies are likely to become more popular as they get older.
- Victims of bullies are more likely to get rejected by peers and
have fewer friends as they get older.
- Boys are more likely to engage in bullying behavior than girls, and bullying behavior tends to peak in middle school and then decrease
- Boys are more likely to engage in direct bullying (verbal or physical) whereas girls are more likely to involve in indirect bullying (relational or social)
- Boys who engage in infrequent bullying are not associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation
- Conversely bullied female teens conversely have higher suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, even though fewer woman have conduct problems
- Suggests Males may have more innate aggression
- Suggests when Females do show conduct problems may be a sign of other serious underlying causes
How to Recognize the Signs of Bullying
Warning Signs of Bullying
- Change in behavior or seems anxious
- Comes home with unexplained physical bruises or injuries
- Child not doing activities they usually enjoy
- Changed appetite and eating habits
- Difficulty sleeping
- Moodier or more easily upset
- Avoids certain situations
- Comes home with damaged or missing clothing or other belongings
- Reports losing items such as books electronics, clothing, or jewelry
- Hurts themselves
- Hungry after school from not eating their lunch
- Talks about Suicide
- Suddenly has fewer friends
- Avoids certain places
Prevention
- Positive parental support can protect adolescents from both being bullied and bullying others (Wang, Ionnotti, & Nansel, 2009)
- Friendships can help prevent an adolescent from being a target for bullies
- On school level:
- Rules can be implemented in classroom to prohibit bullying
- Better supervision during recess/lunch
- Role playing to encourage empathy amongst students
- Serious talks with bullies, with real consequences
- Parents of children being bullied should not hesitate to contact their child's school if they suspect that their child is being bullied
- Parents should help their child become more well-adjusted to their school environment because most victims are anxious/insecure with low self-confidence and little to no friends
