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Long-Term Effects of Bullying

Bullying May Have Residual Effects

Aug 17, 2006

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More withdrawn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.

Bullying Linked to ADHD

Bullying In Japan

Bully Targets

The Fourth Born in the Classroom

The Fourth Born Personality

14 Good Reasons to Run

Bullying: What Is It?

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

The copyright of the article Long-Term Effects of Bullying in Educational Issues is owned by Barbara Pytel. Permission to republish Long-Term Effects of Bullying in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Bullying Can Lead To Depression Later

Bully Targets Are More Withdrawn

Comments

Aug 18, 2006 4:49 AM

Irene Taylor :

<p></p>Hi Barb,

Thanks for a great, concise review of the effects of bullying. This is the perfect time for that list - when schools are just starting in many areas and when students may find themselves in these situations.

Teachers and schools need to be vigilant when dealing with bullying for the very reasons you mention.

Thanks for a great article!

Irene

Feb 22, 2007 2:54 AM

Hannah :

Is there any evidence to suggest that bullying can prompt speech difficulties, such as stammering, in later life?

Feb 22, 2007 4:49 AM

Barbara Pytel :

Actually, the article posted on Educational Issues on August 11, Stuttering: New Research, shows that it is more like to be a genetic and neurological predisposition more than caused by parents or teachers. You can find it by scrolling down to archives. Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN did the study. "Reactive" students are more likely to stutter. However, are reactive students more likely to be bullied? Vanderbilt plans on doing more studies on this topic.

3 Comments