ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BULLYING

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BULLYING

Bullying is identified as a significant problem in U.S. schools as it affects the victim and the bully physically, psychologically and socially. It can affect all the participants who are involved in the process of bullying including the bully and those who witness bullying. Reijntjes, Kamphuis et al. (2010) stated that victims of bullying are at high risk of negative outcomes in childhood, including physical, emotional and psychological health problems. Mostly victims of bullying suffer from low self-esteem such as lack of confidence and feeling bad about oneself mostly due to verbal bullying which can create a negative self-image. Victim may also experience physical injury such as bruises, cuts, scratches, torn clothing, vandalism and common somatic problem such as, pain, nausea, dizziness and cold because of physical bullying. Therefore, this shows that bullying can also take a tour from self-esteem to physical health. Childhood bullying influences not only victim’s physical health but also mental and social outcomes. According to Takizawa, Manghan, Arseneault (2014) victims of childhood bullying had the highest level of psychological distress at ages between 18 and 50 with high risk of heavy smoking. Students who are bullied can experience negative mental health issues such as nightmares and night-terror and are more likely to take up smoking. Victims of bullying have also been reported to more frequent development of internalizing problem, anxiety disorder, and depression disorder in young adulthood and middle adulthood (Wolke, Lereya 2014). Sometimes when bullying goes in an extreme way, it might build up a lot of pessimism in a victim which in turn could psychologically affect the victim tremendously, as far as have disastrous result such as suicide. In 2003, a government study found that 16 children each year committed suicide as a direct result of bullying (Freeman, Bentman 2011). It was clearly expressed that victims were at high risk for exhibiting psychotic experiences at age 18 and having suicidal ideation, attempts and completed suicides (wolke, Lereya 2014). Such cited example that happened in U.S.A. are the suicide of the 15-year-old phoebe prince because of school bullying. Furthermore, the adverse effects of bullying on the social health of the victim could be a major issue as well. Due to bullying victims tend to lose interest in education and absenteeism increases which results in lower education qualification. According to Siddiqui 160,000 students missed school each day for fear of being bullied (Sound vision). It is seen that victims find it difficult in making friends and be less likely to live with the partner and to have a social support due to childhood bullying. Moreover, it is found that victims of bullying tend to earn less than their peers. Brown, Taylor (2008) stated that poorer educational attainment of victims in childhood may have effects on income across adulthood.

One the other hand students who bully others also often experience short and long-term effects such as decreased academic achievement (GPA), excessive drinking, below performance in employment. Most of the bullies experience mental health difficulties. One study found that nearly one third had attention deficit disorder, 12.5% had depression and oppositional conduct disorder (Kumpulainen, Rimpela and puura, 2001; seealso, kaltiala-heino, rimpela and, 2000) Since bullies tend to be very arrogant they are more likely to display aggression towards their future partner and children in their adulthood. Robert (2000) stated that students who bully others are more likely to display aggression towards their spouses and are more likely to use severe physical punishment on their children. In addition, studies have found that by age 30 bullies are very likely to have more criminal conviction (Glew et al., 2000; Olweu’s, 1995). When considered the reason behind school shooting and gun violence there has always been a connection to bullying. Most of the school shooters had a history of being a bully-victim. Kopaz (2005) conducted a survey and found that bullies had carried weapons to school, used alcohol and engaged in physical fight at school. These highly troubled aggressive victims can be at high risk of becoming school shooters. Bullying that happens at school can cause great impact to the country and downgrade economy and development drastically.

FUTURE TRENDS

Physcal and phycological abuse causes lifelong ill-health particularly for children which could even result to early death. Many leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke, cancer are the results of victims of violence adopting behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, and drug due to bullying and other social issues. Plemmons (2018) stated that suicide attempts have double since 2008(Megan Meier Foundation). Bullying could be one of the reasons for the suicide attempts of youngsters and mayb