EFFECTS OF BULLYING ON TEENAGE MENTAL HEALTH
WHAT IS BULLYING?
Bullying is defined as repeated harmful actions intended to inflict pain or fear on others. It can take various forms, including physical violence, name-calling, social exclusion, spreading rumors, and cyberbullying, such as threatening messages sent online.
BULLYING IN SCHOOL/COLLEGE:
It is a serious concern as teenage is a critical period of development and transition to adulthood. Being bullied during college years is a common, distressing and preventable experience and has been associated with mental stress, substance misuse, and suicide risk in adulthood.
Several studies have estimated that approximately 20–35% of adolescents have had at least one experience of bullying. A 2023 study emphasizes that bullying is a significant risk factor for violence in schools and examines the importance of supportive strategies for youth.
WHAT CAUSES BULLYING:
- Bullying happens mostly between peers where a power imbalance exists. Individuals may bully others to assert dominance and maintain their control.
- Some students bully others as a way to compensate for their own insecurities & low self-esteem.
- Lack of empathy in bullies due to lack of love, care & attention at home.
- Lack of effective policies & resources for reporting and addressing bullies.
By treating students unfairly on the basis of academic performance, teachers also contribute to the cycle of bullying & abuse. The unfair treatment by the authority figures further enhances childhood trauma and peer pressure, creating a stressful environment for the students.
EFFECTS OF BULLYING ON MENTAL HEALTH:
Bullying experiences in teenagers have long-term impact on health outcomes in adulthood. Some of the most commonly observed effects are:
1. LOW CONFIDENCE:
Experiences of bullying in teenagers are damaging to self-perception and self-esteem. Bullies often target features which cannot be changed like skin color, weight, hair color etc. Body shaming is escalating rapidly and is a common form of bullying. These negative comments regarding appearance lead to diminished self-worth & confidence.
This negativity has lasting effects on various aspects of life, including relationships and careers, as it becomes challenging to develop adequate self-awareness when overshadowed by negative perceptions.
2. POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE:
Students often start to judge themselves harshly because of the constant criticism comments they receive. Many bullied teens feel unsafe at school, leading them to withdraw from classes and avoid social gatherings. This heightened anxiety makes it challenging for students to form relationships. Additionally, it can interfere with their concentration and engagement in academics, resulting in low grades and poor performance. This underscores the importance of teaching at a young age ways to deal with depression and everyday stress and anxieties.
3. DECLINE IN HEALTH:
A 2022 analysis of the health outcomes of bullying underscores the profound emotional toll it takes on adolescents. Regardless of the type of bullying, those who were repeatedly targeted reported a greater impact on their daily activities and social lives. A major decline in physical and mental health was observed. The study found that bullying leads to feelings of shame, anger, and guilt, which significantly lower self-esteem and self-perception.
A WORD FROM MENTAL NURTURING:
Bullying of any kind has negative and long-lasting impacts on young people’s health and wellbeing. They experience symptoms such as sleep disturbances, appetite changes and isolation. This emotional turmoil can hinder academic success, as bullied students struggle to keep up with their work and may avoid school-related activities. Additionally, they may feel inferior to their peers, believing they are less valuable or deserving of happiness.
Development of some positive psychological traits in teenagers like resilience and emotional intelligence may be protective during stressful circumstances. Strength comes from the accumulation of positive interactions with family members, peers, neighbors, and the community, rather than being an inherent personality trait.
It is important to discourage bullying at all forums and monitor the academic and social development of teenagers.
Those who are bullied become hesitant to participate in events due to the fear of being judged by others. They become extremely concerned about how they look and behave. The survivors of bullying in teenage develop an overactive fight or flight response as they always anticipate the recurrence of bullying. Often, the lasting effects of bullying and trauma necessitate therapy from a mental health expert. Individuals who have been bullied may find it difficult to share their experiences due to a lack of courage. A supportive strategy with proper diagnosis of their symptoms can help clarify their situation, leading to better resolution and the ability to let go of their pain.
RESOURCES:
1. Lin LY, Chien YN, Chen YH, Wu CY, Chiou HY. Bullying Experiences, Depression, and the Moderating Role of Resilience Among Adolescents. Front Public Health. 2022 May 25;10:872100. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.872100. PMID: 35692326; PMCID: PMC9174695.
2. Hodgins M, Kane R, Itzkovich Y, Fahie D. Workplace Bullying and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions: A Scoping Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024 Sep 3;21(9):1173. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21091173. PMID: 39338057; PMCID: PMC11431250.
3. Momose Y, Ishida H. Bullying experiences in childhood and health outcomes in adulthood. PLoS One. 2024 Jul 15;19(7):e0305005. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305005. PMID: 39008467; PMCID: PMC11249246.
4. Shakoor S, M S Zavos H, Gregory AM, Ronald A. The association between bullying-victimisation and sleep disturbances in adolescence: Evidence from a twin study. J Sleep Res. 2021 Oct;30(5):e13321. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13321. Epub 2021 Mar 5. PMID: 33675116; PMCID: PMC11475508.
Written by:
Hooria Jannat Javed,
Medically reviewed by:
Dr.Saba Munir, MBBS
On November 12, 2024
