BULLYING Some Causes and Effects

Conclusion of Physical and Emotional Effects

Dr.Ed Adlaf, a research scientist and professor of public health sciences at the University of Toronto, expresses concern that "those who are involved in bullying are much more likely to experience emotional difficulties  now and in the future."  During the 2001 school year, more than 225,000 Ontario students were surveyed, and between one  fourth and one third of them were involved in some form of bullying, either as a target or as a perpetrator. In the same group, 1 in 10 had seriously contemplated suicide.

Persistent bullying may erode a victim's self-confidence, induce serious health problems, and even ruin a career. Bullied individuals may experience headaches, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.  Some develop post traumatic stress disorder. Whereas physical attacks may bring on an outpouring of sympathetic support for the victim, emotional attacks may not elicit the same response. The damage is far less apparent. So instead of sympathizing, friends and family may tire of hearing the victim's complaints.  

Bullying also has bad effects on the bullies themselves. If not stopped in childhood, they will likely grow up to bully others in the workplace. In fact, some studies reveal that those who had been bullies as children developed behavior patterns that endured into adult life.  They were also more likely to have a criminal record than those who were not bullies.

Next time: BULLYING Some Causes and Effects - The Impact on the Family 

From the Awake! magazine, 2003