Psychology

Bullying

Monique R. Johnson

PSY/400

July 12, 2012

Dr. Donald Collins

Effects of Bullying

Bullying, in some way or another, has a tendency to affect everyone involved: those who do the bullying, those who are bullied, and also those who witness the act of bullying. Many negative outcomes are associated to bullying. Some of these outcomes include suicide as well as substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Negative Outcomes Associated to those who are bullied include:

• Increased anxiety and depression, loneliness, sadness, changes in eating and sleep patterns, and loss of interest in hobbies and or activities. Issues such as these may persist into adulthood.

• Health issues and complaints

• More likely to either skip or miss school or even drop out, academic achievement and school participation suffers.

• A small number of children who are bullied have been shown to retaliate through extreme violent measures. In the 1990’s research links 12 out of 15 school shooting cases to a shooter that had a history of being bullied.

Negative Outcomes Associated to those who bully others

Those who bully others tend to participate in risky behaviors that have a propensity to violence. In many cases these behaviors continue later in life. They include:

• Drug abuse, alcohol and other substances in teens and as adults

• Vandalize property, aggressive behavior including fights, and tend to be school drop-outs

• Early sexual activity

• Have traffic citations and many unlawful convictions later in life

• Tend to abuse children, romantic partners, or spouses as adults

Bystanders

• Increased use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco or other drugs

• Increased mental health issues such as depression, and anxiety

• Also have a tendency to miss or skip school, and or become drop-outs

The Relationship between Bullying and Suicide

Bullycide is a word used to describe the act which takes place when a...