Definition: any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths who are not siblings or current dating partners that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated.
STATISTICS:
-Approximately 20% of students in grades 9 -12 have been bullied
-Of the students who experience bullying, 14% have a severe reaction to the abuse, including adverse psychiatric conditions (depression, anxiety, etc)
-Students who have experiences with bullying (victim, bully, bully victim) in school have a higher odds of both attempting and committing suicide later on in life compared to students who were not bullied.
Students have been found to exhibit decreased academic performance during school and poor job performance as adults as a direct consequence of anxiety/depression developed from bullying
RISK FACTORS
- Low Self-Esteem
- Shy, timid behavior
- Lack of Social Support
Table 1: Odds of Suicide/Mental Illnesses in Adulthood Among Adolescents, by Bullying Role
| Bullying Role | Odds of Depressive Disorders (95% CI)* | Odds of Suicide (95% CI)* | Odds of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (95% CI)* |
| Victims | 3.4 (1.5–7.9) | 1.6 (0.7–4.0) | 4.7 (2.5–9.1) |
| Bullies | 1.6 (0.6–4.1) | 0.3 (0.1–1.2) | 2.1 (0.7–6.3) |
| Bully Victims | 8.2 (2.6–25.5) | 5.5 (1.7–17.4) | 7.1 (2.6–18.8) |
*Data Source: Adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry. Apr 1, 2013; 70(4): 419–426.
