In reality, bullying often has negative effects for more than just the victim; rather the effects of bullying reverberate throughout all involved parties, from the victims, to the witnesses of bullying and the bully themselves. Furthermore, the effects of bullying have been linked to illicit drug use, future mental health problems, self harm, and in some circumstances suicide. In recent history there has been a marked increase in the frequency and ferocity of bullying which in turn has resulted in an increase in the observable effects from bullying and often end in tragic consequences. The following paper explores the consequences of bullying on all parties paying particular attention to the long term effects of bullying.
Children who are frequently bullied often exhibit an increase in mental health problems as well as a negative effect on their educational and social skills. Furthermore, these victims of bullying are at greater risk of suffering from depression, melancholy, social exclusion, anxiety and physical symptoms such as inconsistent eating and sleep patterns. Most worryingly is the fact that these causes of long term bullying typically persist into adulthood. Indeed, the academic consequences from bullying are profound; from a decrease in academic achievement, a lower result on standardized test scores, to skipping school and dropping out altogether.
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"Cause and Effect: Victims of Bullying".
Worryingly, there is also a precedent for victims of extreme bullying to resort to violent and criminal acts. For example, 12 out of the 15 perpetrators of school shooting cases in 1990 had a recorded history of being bullied. One research project by Duke University Medical center discovered bullies and victims of bullying had a greater risk of suffering from emotional problems, depression and panic attacks. As the research paper states:
“Bullying is not just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up. Victims of bullying are at increased risk for emotional disorders in adulthood […] Bullies/victims are at the highest risk and are most likely to think about or plan suicide. These problems are associated with great emotional and financial costs to society” (Copland & others, 2013 421).
Indeed, it has been shown that bullies themselves often suffer from long term effects if their actions are not called into account. Research in this area has shown that bullies are up to two times more prone to have a criminal record in later life and four times more likely to be a repeat offender. Children who are classed as bullies will also be more prone to engage in activities which run a high risk, more susceptible to alcohol and drug dependency and exhibit violent tendencies in later life. Examples of such behavior can include destruction of property, lack of educational achievement, traffic offensives and early sexual activity. The effects of bullying on bullies are also likely to cause a negative effect on future relationships such as friends and partners in later life. Furthermore it is important to keep in mind that more often than not, bullies are also victims of bullying themselves either from other peers or family members.
Perhaps not that shockingly, bullies themselves are at a greater predisposition to suffer from antisocial behavior disorders; a disorder which manifests itself most typically through continued transgression of the law, abusing other members of society, and a general manipulative character.
Indeed, in research from John Hopkins University showed that there was increased levels of stress experienced in victims of sustained bullying actually effects the brains psychology and is a serious root cause for mental illness.
The final group of individuals that have been shown to be effected by bullying is witnesses, or third parties, to bullying. Similarly, this category is at a greater risk of mental health problems, decreased academic achievement, anxiety and depression. Also there is an increased probability of sustained tobacco, alcohol and drug use in later life. One report in Science Daily state that: “Witnesses to bullying may face more mental health risks than bullies and victims” (Science Daily). Indeed, the effects of witnessing bullying on others can often have a greater level of negative consequences then the actual victims themselves. One survey which took place in England 2002 focused on students between the age of 12 to 16 and asked whether they had witnessed, committed or been the victim of bullying. This was further divided in to different subcategories of bullying (such as physical and mental bullying). In addition the survey asked the students if they had suffered from any psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety or a resulting tendency towards hostility. The results showed that there was a close link between negative psychological effects in bullies, victims and witnesses. Furthermore the study showed that many children who witness acts of bullying end up with a strong feeling of guilt in their inability to intervene. This can be seen as a result of being afraid of becoming a target for bullies against what they considered the correct and moral course of action. This approach-avoidance dichotomy in witnesses of bullying has been shown to dramatically increase stress levels with the combination of guilt and personal fear one reason why witnesses often exhibit more severe symptoms then victims of bullying.
In conclusion, bullying has detrimental effects on more than just the victims of bullying. Indeed, in some cases witnessing bullying has a greater psychological effect then the victims of bullying themselves. Furthermore, in each of these categories the long term negative effects of bullying often persist into adulthood. Given the rising level of bullying and the drastic consequences it can have on all parties involved, effective anti-bulling initiatives are in place in the majority of school which not only provides support for the victims of bullying but also the perpetrators and witnesses. Indeed, programs that merely tackle individual bullies have often proved ineffective while all encompassing school wide programs to put an end to bullying can lead to a fifty percent reduction in bullying incidents.
- Copeland, W. E., Wolke, D., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Adult Psychiatric Outcomes of Bullying and Being Bullied by Peers in Childhood and AdolescencePsychiatric Outcomes of Bullying and Being Bullied. JAMA psychiatry, 70(4), 419-426.
- Science Daily Online. Dec 15 2009. (Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2009/12/091214121449.htm)
