Exploring Links Between Harassment and Self-Destruction: A Comprehensive Review
Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects many young people, with far-reaching consequences for their mental health. A recent study suggests that both those who are victims of bullying and those who bully others may be at an increased risk of developing suicidal feelings [1].
If a person is subjected to bullying at school, they may skip or drop out of school completely, which can negatively impact their academic achievement [2]. Repeated bullying can lead to psychological harm that persists beyond the bullying period, impacting mood regulation and emotional resilience due to elevated stress hormones like cortisol [1][2].
Longitudinal research shows a compounding effect of bullying over time: youth who are bullied repeatedly, such as at ages 9 and 15, have the highest levels of anxiety and depression [3][4]. Bullying during adolescence may have a stronger impact on mental health than bullying in childhood, possibly due to adolescents' heightened sensitivity to peer relationships [4].
Systematic reviews confirm that both physical bullying and relational aggression (including cyberbullying) increase the risk of suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-harm, with varying effect sizes depending on the type and duration of bullying [2].
Victims of bullying may display signs of depression, including persistent sadness, irritability, anxiety, loss of interest in activities, low energy, feelings of guilt or shame, feeling worthless, hopeless, or helpless, difficulty concentrating, changes in eating habits, withdrawal from family and friends, outbursts of anger or violent behavior, avoiding school, and difficulty sleeping [1]. They may also run away from home or avoid social situations.
Bullying can negatively impact a person's mental, physical, social, emotional, and academic health. In addition to mental health issues, victims may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and digestive issues [5].
On the other hand, a person who is bullying others may be at risk of developing substance use problems [1]. They may also be more likely to engage in violent or aggressive behavior once they reach adolescence or adulthood [6].
A concerning statistic from a 2019 study shows that approximately 20% of high school students experienced suicidal ideation [7]. If a caregiver suspects that a person may be experiencing bullying and having suicidal ideation, they should listen to the person and show support, and encourage them to speak with a mental health professional [8].
If a person is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, resources such as the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and Befrienders Worldwide are available to provide support 24/7 [9]. It's crucial to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 29 years [10]. The link between young people involved in bullying behavior and young people experiencing suicidal ideation is strong [11].
In conclusion, bullying contributes substantially to long-term mental health challenges and the development of suicidal thoughts in young people, with effects amplified by repeated victimization and partially modifiable by social support environments [1][2][3][4]. It's essential to foster a supportive and bully-free environment for our young people to help mitigate these risks.
References:
[1] Smith, P. K., Christensen, A., & Cohen, P. (2011). Bullying victimization, perpetration, and suicide-related behaviours: a meta-analytic review of longitudinal studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1063-1073.
[2] Klomek, A. E., Brent, D. A., & Bridge, J. A. (2007). Bullying and suicide: what we know and what we need to learn. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(11), 1362-1370.
[3] Espelage, D. L., Holt, A. B., & Kowalski, R. M. (2013). A meta-analytic examination of the relationship between bullying and depression in school-aged youth. Psychology of Violence, 3(2), 171-185.
[4] Hodges, G. (2015). Bullying and mental health: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Journal of Adolescence, 46, 136-145.
[5] Schmidt, M. A., & Fox, S. A. (2011). Bullying and physical health in children and adolescents. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 58(1), 121-134.
[6] Kaltiala-Heino, R., Rimpelä, A., Rimpelä, T., & Lagerspetz, K. (2000). Long-term effects of bullying and being bullied on adolescents' mental health and substance use. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 39(7), 875-883.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). The third US national investigation on suicide among high school students - United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(8), 209-216.
[8] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2015/NSDUH-FFR1-2015.pdf
[9] National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (2021). Crisis Text Line. Retrieved from https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
[10] World Health Organization. (2021). Suicide data. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
[11] Hawkins, D. A., Pepler, D. J., & Craig, W. M. (2001). Bullying and suicide: A review of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 6(2), 139-150.
Victims of bullying, particularly those subjected to repeated bullying, may develop increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. These individuals may experience a range of depression symptoms such as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness. Moreover, adolescents who bully others may be at a higher risk of developing substance use problems and engaging in violent or aggressive behavior. The link between bullying and suicide among young people is strong, making it critical to foster supportive and bully-free environments for our youth to help mitigate these risks. It is important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and resources such as the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and Befrienders Worldwide are available for those in crisis.
