Past research shows that mental health issues are often linked to past bullying. This applies to both the bully and the one being bullied.
MSNBC reports that a recent study links future emotional problems to bullying. Dr. Louise Arseneault of King's College in London writes that students that have been victimized have significantly more problems with behaviors in school by age 7. They are also more likely to bully themselves. A recent lawsuit in Australia shows how serious residual effects can be.
What Are The Symptoms?
Students that have been victimized by bullying show the following behaviors:
- Less happy in school by age 7
- More withdrawn
- Less considerate of people's feelings
- More adjustment problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
Likely Targets
The likely targets are students who look different, act different, or select activities that are not mainstream. And, according to Cliff Isaacson, author and therapist, the most likely birth order to be bullied or become a bully is the fourth born.
What Can We Do?
The school needs to have a consistent and firm policy. Here are some tips for the school, Bullying: The School and Bullying: Tips for the Home.
Dr. Arseneault concludes that "bullying could be regarded as a stressful life event that might influence children's normal development." Read the latest on a bullying lawsuits: Bully Victim Gets $1 Million, Bully Costs Private School $4M.
Related articles:
The Fourth Born in the Classroom
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
