The Psychological Affects of Bullying on Children from Middle School Age to High School

The Psychological Affects of Bullying on Children from Middle School Age to High School

Introduction

Bullying is a complex topic, as bullying behavior occurs in many contexts in society—from schools and playgrounds to the workplace and the home. Bullies may be children or adults, and they often have pasts that are rife with problems. The behaviors that constitute bullying are diverse and often have a specific purpose and involve planning. The victims are chosen because of specific characteristics, and the bullying they experience often exacerbates these traits, leading to a cycle of increasing social isolation and lowering of self-esteem. There also are long-lasting effects of bullying on bullies and victims, as bullies are more likely than their peers to be perpetrators of crime, and victims are more likely to be abused as adults.

Researchers have only relatively recently become interested in and concerned about the victimization involved in bullying, particularly among children and adolescents. The pioneering research on this topic was done by psychologist Daniel Olweus at the University of Bergen in Norway. He began his work in 1970, but only received support from Norwegian school officials in 1982 after three boys committed suicide after being bullied and harassed. Since then, school systems in other countries have made efforts to address the problem of bullying. In the United States, bullying began to attract attention following school shootings by young men who had apparently been harassed by their peers. Bullying is now a central concern of teachers, school administrators, and parents.

Discussion

Bullying behavior can occur in several forms and situations, and the definition of bullying includes the following three components. First, bullying in volves intentional and aggressive behavior designed to intimidate, harass, exclude, destroy property, or physically injure others. The verbal behavior can take the form of threats, name-calling, teasing, demands for money or services, spreading of rumors, and/or obscene gestures. Some of these behaviors result in indirect bullying, such as spreading rumors; others are direct behaviors, such as name-calling. Physical behaviors designed to bully are direct and can include tripping, shoving, pushing, or hitting. However, bullying is more likely to take the form of verbal intimidation than physical attacks. Second, for behavior to reach the level of bullying it must occur repeatedly (albeit not necessarily in the same form) and over time. Third, the victim must perceive the bully as more powerful than himself or herself in terms of physical strength, popularity, or competence.

Demographics and Extent

Among children and adolescents, bullying is most likely to occur in school than in any other place, particularly in areas that are not well supervised. Bullying also occurs on the way to and from school, at athletic events, and on field trips, as well as online, as cyberspace increasingly offers opportunities to text message and post communications that can be designated as bullying. It is also most likely to occur among males, with most victims the same gender as the bullies. Males are more likely to be ...