Bullying is a repeated behaviour which is intended to cause distress or harm to others and occurs when there is an imbalance of (perceived or real) power.

It is estimated that almost 60 per cent of young people who are aged 11 to 17 will have been victimised by a peer – which includes anything from bullying to assault (4).

Bullying causes misery to everyone. It is bad news for the bullied, worse for the bullies and abysmal for those who are victims and bullies at the same time.

Mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, is more common in all of those who are involved in bullying. One study (1) shows that those who have not been exposed to bullying has 11.5% chance of being in contact with psychiatric services. This mental health risk increases to 19.9% for bullies, 23.1% to victims and 31.2% for those who are both victims and bullies at the same time.

Compared to those who have not been exposed to bullying, a chance of 11.5% of mental  as summarized below:1

a) Not exposed to bullying, only 11.5% had mental health issues at 29 years of age

b) Bullies  (19.9%)

c) Victims (23.1%)

d) Victim and bully at the same time or victim-bullies (31.2%)

Victims have higher incidence of suffering from depression, anxiety, low esteem or lack of confidence which probably accounts for a higher rate of mental health issues. Bullies however are more prone to conduct disorders and as such have a higher chance of not doing well in school, being jobless and ending up in prison.

Victim-bullies are worse with highest incidence of mental health issues and higher rate of ending up in prison.

Tip:

Look at the bullies and you are seeing someone who is likely going to be a failure in life. You may not totally avoid them but stay away from them as much as you can.

What to do if you are being bullied? Find out more.

Bullying is an imbalance of power.

1) Asociation of Bullying Behavior at 8 Years of Age and Use of Specialized Services for Psychiatric Disorders by 29 Years of Age. Sourander et al

, JAMA Psychiatry [JAMA Psychiatry] 2016 Feb; Vol. 73 (2), pp. 159-65.

2)Bullying by peers in childhood and effects on psychopathology, suicidality, and criminality in adulthood.Authors:Klomek AB

The Lancet. Psychiatry [Lancet Psychiatry] 2015 Oct; Vol. 2 (10), pp. 930-41. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Sep 29.

3)Is involvement in school bullying associated with general health and psychosocial adjustment outcomes in adulthood?Authors:Sigurdson JF

Source:Child Abuse & Neglect [Child Abuse Negl] 2014 Oct; Vol. 38 (10), pp. 1607-17. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jun 24.

Being a victim of bullying increases the risk of experiencing depression and anxiety.

Bullying is an exercise of power with diminishing returns.

4) How safe are our children? 2017: the most comprehensive overview of child protection in the UK

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