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Running Head: Bullying and Adolescent Psychopathology
Running Head: Bullying and Adolescent Psychopathology
Colleen Clark
Eckerd College
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Abstract
Bullying is an aggressive form of behavior that is intended to cause harm or distress. This
particular form of conduct has risen dramatically among adolescents over the course of the last
decade, making it a major concern in today’s society. Bullying has both long and short term
psychological effects on bullies, victims, and bully-victims. Bullying behavior has been
associated with several types of psychopathology such as depression and suicidality. Antisocial
behavior, such as fighting, vandalism, shoplifting, and drug and alcohol abuse can also be
attributed to bullying behavior. Victims of bullying suffer humiliation, loss of self esteem,
experience loneliness and often have thoughts of suicide. The impact of bullying often follows
Adolescent Psychopathology
Scientific literature on aggressive peer relations makes use of several different terms including
bullying, peer victimization, and harassment (Klomek, Marrocco, Kleinman, Schonfeld, and Gould, 2007;
Klomek, et.al., 2008; Harris, 2005). Even though there may be subtle differences between these terms, all
are used to refer to behavior that is aggressive and intended to cause harm or distress, occurs repeatedly
over time, and occurs in a relationship in which there is an imbalance of power or strength, with the
stronger person or group attacking a less powerful one (Nansel, Overpeck, Pilla, Ruan, Simons-Morton,
and Scheidt, 2001). There is also a distinction between direct and indirect behaviors. Physical and verbal
attacks or aggression, such as name calling, kicking and pushing, are direct forms of bullying. Behaviors
such as gossiping and ignoring are thought to be indirect bullying. Indirect bullying is also called
relational bullying, because it is “aggression directed at damaging a social relationship” (Van der Wall,
In a recent study on school bullying and victimization, Espelage and Swearer (2003) found that
90% of 4th through 8th graders reported that they had been or were victims of some form of bullying. In
yet another study, nearly one third of 6th through 12th graders were involved in frequent to moderate
bullying. Thirteen percent reported being the bullies, while 10.6% reported being victims, and 6.3%
reported being both (Harris, 2005). Indirect bulling is more common among females, and direct bulling is
more common among males. (Van der Wall, et. al., 2003). Victims of bullying tend to be perceived by
their cohorts as physically weaker and have fewer friends than those who are not victimized. Gay, lesbian,
or bisexual adolescents are targeted more regularly than are their heterosexual peers (Nansel, et.al, 2001).
Also, overweight and obese adolescents are subject to more harassment than normal weight teens, most
Adolescents who engage in bullying tend to have higher levels of overall behavior problems and
have difficulty conforming to rules. They are also more likely to be involved in violence related behaviors
such as fighting. These tendencies appear to persist into adulthood. Former bullies were studied over the
course of 9 years. Results showed a 4 fold increase in criminal behavior by the age of 24. Of all those
studied, 60% had one conviction and 35 to 40% had 3 or more convictions (Olweus, 1999).
The psychosocial consequences of bullying are also significant. Victims of bullying have reported
increased rates of suicidal ideation, depression, and loneliness. The examination of the association of
bullying behavior and psychopathology by Nansel, et.al.(2001) emphasize the differentiation between
bullies, victims, and bully victims. In this study, victims were found to manifest more psychological
distress and depressive symptoms than did non victims. The results of studies performed by Kaltiala-
Heino, et.al.(2000) and Ivarsson, et.al.(2005) are consistent with Nansels reports. Less consistent,
however, are the findings pertaining to bullies. In some studies, such as those performed by Camodeca
and Gossens (2005), and Juvonen, et.al. (2003), an association was not found between being a bully and
depression, while in others it was found that the bullies as well as the victims showed high instances of
depression (Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpela, Rantanen, & Rimpela, 2000; Ivarsson, et.al.,2005). Overall, those
who are both victims and bullies are usually found to be at the highest risk for depression (Fekkes,
Pijpers, & Verloove-Vanhorick, 2004). According to Anat Brunstein Klomek, et.al.(2008), adolescents
who were involved in bullying behavior in or out of school, whether as a victim or a bully, were at a
significantly higher risk for not only depression, but serious suicidal ideation (SSI) and suicide attempts
compared with students who were never victims or bullies. Whether a victim or a bully, the more frequent
the involvement in bullying behavior was, the more likely the adolescent was depressed, had attempted
suicide, or had SSI. On average, both bullies and victims displayed these behaviors 3 times more often
than those who were not bullies or victims (Klomek, et.al., 2008).
A variety of socio environmental factors have also been associated with the development of
aggressive behavior in adolescence. Family characteristics such as low parental warmth, low involvement
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with parents, low family cohesion and single parent family structure have all been found to be related to
greater bullying among adolescents (Juvonen & Schuster, 2003).Childhood experiences connected to
aggression, such as spanking and other physical discipline, family violence, bullying and/or victimization
by siblings, and father’s history of bullying have also been positively related to bullying behavior.
Additional characteristics of the social context of adolescents may also contribute to bullying
behavior. For example, neighborhood safety concerns were positively associated with increased bullying
behavior while having positive adult role models was associated with less bullying behavior (Nansel,
et.al., 2001).
In conclusion, victimization and bullying are potential risk factors for adolescent depression and
suicidality. Frequent exposure to victimization or bullying others is related to high risks of depression,
SSI, and suicide attempts compared with adolescents not involved in bullying behavior. There are also
several risk factors associated with bullying, including individual, family, peer, school, and community
factors.
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References
Camodeca, M, & Goossens, F.A. (2005). Aggression, social cognitions, anger, and sadness in bullies and
Eisenberg, Maria E., Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne, & Story, Mary. (2003). Associations of weightbased
teasing and emotional well being among adolescents. Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 157:733-738.
Espelage, D.L. & Swearer, S.M., (2003). Research on school bullying and victimization: what have we
Fekkes, M., Pijpers, F.I., & Verloove-Vanhorick, S.P., (2004). Bullying behavior and associations with
Harris, S. (2005). Bullying at school among older adolescents. School Nursing Review. 22:18-21.
Ivarsson, T., Brberg, A.G., Arvidsson, T., & Gillberg, C. (2005). Bullying in adolescents: psychiatric
problems in victims and bullies as measured by the Youth Self Report (YSR) and the Depression Self
Juvonen, J., Graham, S., & Schuster, M.A. (2003). Bullying among young adolescents: the strong, the
Kaltiala-Heino, R., Rimpela, M., Rantanen, P. & Rimpela, A. (2000). Bullying at school: an indicator of
Klomek, A.B., Marrocco, Frank, Kleinman, Marjorie, Schonfeld, I.S., & Gould, Madelyn.(2008). Peer
victimization, depression, and suicidality in adolescents. Suicide & Life Threatening Behavior. New
References
Nansel, T.R., Overpeck, Mary, Ramani, Pilla, Ruan, June, Simons-Morton, Bruce, & Scheidt, Peter.
Olweus, D. (1999). Aggression and violence through the lifespan. London. Sage Publications. 100-125.
Van der Wall, M.F., DeWit, C.A., & Hirasing, R.A.. (2003). Psychosocial health among young victims