What Is Bullying?



Mental & Physical effects of bullying on teenagers By: Mohul, Sarvjot, Taj, Tarun, and pravin right46355We’ve all been there. The playground, where one girl grabs another’s hair and yanks her backwards off the swing. The lunchroom, where “the mean kid” smacks down a smaller boy’s tray, spilling his food. The classroom, where a group of kids repeatedly taunt the youngest child in the class for being stupid.From the vantage point of adulthood, bullying is mean-spirited and pointless, but it is unfortunately a regular part of childhood. (Indeed, even some adults haven’t grown out of the habit of belittling others and pushing them around.) Luckily, bullying has finally entered the media spotlight, and the public outcry is forcing parents, teachers, administrators and policy-makers to step up to the plate and do something.As with any public discourse, this inevitably means confusion, misunderstanding and misconception on the part of listeners. Oftentimes, when the topic of bullying crops up, people have more questions than answers. This paper will seek to clear up the confusion and correct misunderstandings and misconceptions that have arisen about bullying, both recently and in the past.11200150We will start with a definition of bullying and a look at where it occurs and who is usually victimized. From there, we will take a closer look at who, exactly, is affected when bullying occurs (spoiler alert: it isn’t just the victim) as well as the psychological impacts that can and do occur as a result. We will assess some of the common misconceptions and endeavor to separate fact from myth. Lastly, we will wrap up with an overview of what is currently being done about bullying and some ideas for how to help.What Is Bullying?Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.3267075276225PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center is careful to point out that “while some bullying is physical and easy to recognize, bullying can also occur quietly and covertly, through gossip or on a smartphone or the internet, causing emotional damage.”Who is involved?Bystanders3629025419100Bystanders include everyone who is witness to any type of bullying. You can choose to be a helpful or hurtful bystander in how you act and respond.According to the interview with Ms. Kliefoth (councilor at Sullivan Heights Secondary), A bystander is neither your enemy nor your friend. They are usually scared to either to stop the bully or tell anyone about the incident because they feel scared by the actions of bullies and they don't want to be in a position where they have to face the cruel actions of the bully. According to Mrs. Kliefoth if a helpful bystander takes stand for the victim by reporting the act of bullying either to the councilor or the principal, it can be really helpful for the authorities to take action and offer help to both the victim and the bully. A hurtful bystander may laugh, encourage, and participate by continuing to bully someone. A helpful bystander may intervene, support the person being bullied, and get help from a trusted adult.BulliesMay face situations where they are the person who has aggression used against them so they in turn bully to have power over someone else.3409950228600According to the interview with Mrs. Kliefoth Sometimes, bullies are motivated by a deeper reason, like problems at home or they have been bullied themselves or have other issues they are struggling with, so they may be feeling angry or vulnerable.Victims3914775114300May appear to be different or in a weaker position because of characteristics, backgrounds, or peer groups. A victim is usually the stubborn person in the school who is mentally weak, low self-confidence, usually has very less friends and feels excluded. Where and When Does Bullying Occur?Bullying can occur anywhere but usually takes place where adult supervision is minimal or nonexistent. Examples includeHallwaysCafeteriasPlaygroundsBusesLocker RoomsWhen is a little harder to define than the where. In terms of when each bullying incident occurs, it can happen at any time two students are in proximity of one another, though again, this usually happens at or near school and consequently will likely happen during or around school hoursWhat are The Types of Bullying There are three types of bullying:3648075409575Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:TeasingName-callingInappropriate sexual commentsTauntingThreatening to cause harmSocial bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:Leaving someone out on purposeTelling other children not to be friends with someoneSpreading rumors about someone4514850238125Embarrassing someone in publicPhysical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:Hitting/kicking/pinchingSpittingTripping/pushingTaking or breaking someone’s thingsMaking mean or rude hand gesturesWho Gets Bullied?It is impossible to predict who will get bullied based on their age, sex, race, class, sexual orientation, national origin or any other factor. Bullying occurs to people in all of these categories, and no one combination of traits can guarantee that a child will or will not be bullied.1914400However, those who frequently get bullied do exhibit some common characteristics. These may include a personality that tends toward caution and shyness, introversion, low self-confidence, unhappiness and anxiety. Bullies frequently don’t have a large support network of friends (or may not have any at all) and may seem to relate better to adults than peers. For boys especially, being smaller or weaker than average can create a target.Moreover, bullying does seem to shift based on sex and race. According to Child Trends, while males and females are equally likely to face physical intimidation, girls face a larger chance of relational bullying (teasing or emotional aggression) and electronic bullying.It’s also important to note that bullies share some common characteristics as well. Perhaps not surprisingly, bullies are often mean, confrontational, aggressive and spiteful. They use manipulation to get their own way, and generally have short fuses and exhibit impulsive behavior. Although they typically push other children around, using name-calling and physical aggression to accomplish their goals, they may also be aggressive toward adults, such as parents and teachers. They may lack the empathy that characterizes many of their peers, which may be why they are unable to feel for their victims. Classically, but not always, a boy bully may be bigger or stronger than average for his age.What Are the Lasting Psychological Impacts of Bullying?As bullying gains more awareness from the general public, it’s also gained momentum among researchers. Researchers confirm that sometimes serious psychological effects of bullying, particularly for the bullied, like increased risk for depression and anxiety; others have hinted at what might be going on in the mind of the bully. Both groups seem to be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The VictimThe long-lasting psychological impacts stem directly from the short-term impacts that children experience as a result of being constantly bullied. Depression and anxiety tend to characterize their emotional outlook well beyond the bullying years, extending into their adult lives where they become chronic, sometimes lifelong, problems. These issues make eating, sleeping, working, exercising and engaging in interesting hobbies – all the hallmarks of a full, balanced life – more difficult. They also make it more difficult to make and keep relationships, whether with friends or romantic partners.And according to the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, the conventional “sticks and stones” wisdom about what kind of bullying really causes lasting damage is backwards: It is actually emotional harm that lasts much longer than physical harm. Especially during childhood, when bodily damage heals readily, the victim’s self-image may be permanently maimed: “Bullying is an attempt to instill fear and self-loathing. Being the repetitive target of bullying damages your ability to view yourself as a desirable, capable and effective individual,” Dr. Mark Dombeck of the Academy explains.This results in the bully victim’s inability to trust himself or herself as a capable individual. In particular, this has effects during tough or difficult times, where the victim has been taught they are too weak or hopeless to persevere, and so they do not. This can have major repercussions for work, relationships and other trying life situations that require persistence and grit to overcome or succeed in.They also have difficulty trusting people, have reduced occupational opportunities, and grow into adulthood with the tendency to be loners. They make fewer positive choices and act less often in defense of their own happiness, owing mostly to the lack of perceived control instilled in them during their childhood bullying.The BullyPeople who usually bully others engage in violent acts and behaviors in their adulthood. They may also be at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, though this is more likely when they are bullied in addition to acting as a bully. However, most of the research that has been done has concentrated on the effects of bullying on those who get bullied rather than those who perpetrate the behavior, so reports are limited of the lifelong impacts on bullies themselves. However, it is indisputable that bullies are at greater risk for antisocial personality disorder.3333750180975The Bystander2762250323850Many of the problems cited above for observers can leak into adulthood. Use and abuse of alcohol and tobacco can wreak havoc on bodies, and depression and anxiety can cause long-lasting problems with relationships, work and happiness. Skipping school or dropping out can also affect success later in life.This is an excellent reason to talk to children about the harms of bullying and ensure that they have useful, actionable ways to respond to a bullying situation when they see it. When children feel as though they can do something about unfair behavior, they avoid the issues that often attend helplessness, such as depression and anxiety. Physical effects of bullyingWhat happens to us in early life has a huge impact on us in later life. Bullying is one example of something that can happen during childhood and have a knock-on effect throughout our life. Depression, difficulty with relationships and an increased likelihood of substance abuse are all long term results of bullying. However, the physical impact it can have can also be devastating and can even contribute to the development of heart problems because of the high level of stress the body is constantly under. It’s therefore vital that we nip childhood bullying in the bud before it impacts on later life. Bullying can also trigger a range of physical health problems. From aches and pains to increased susceptibility to infections and digestive upset, experiencing harassment at school or work can leave you more vulnerable to ill-health, which in part explains why you are more likely to take more sick days when bullied. Here we take a look at the physical effects of bullying and why they occur.The Stress Response3200400464185Bullying doesn’t just place you under mental stress; it places your body under physical stress as well. Exposure to stress triggers a series of physical changes within your body, known as the fight-flight response, designed to protect you from danger. In its simplest terms, when your brain recognizes a stressful situation, it stimulates the release of a hormone that encourages your kidneys to release epinephrine. This in turn triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which raises your blood pressure and pulse, increases your blood sugar levels and prepares your muscles for action, while suppressing less essential processes such as immune and digestive function. While these changes are effective at protecting us from danger, when triggered on a daily basis due to bullying, this is bad news for us and explains the physical effects experienced by victims.HeadachesIf you experience headaches when you are the victim of bullying, it’s no coincidence. Although headaches can have a variety of triggers, suffering from stress increases your risk of tension headaches. As the name implies, these headaches are associated with tension around your forehead, the back of your head and your neck, and while they are often mild, the more you experience them the worse your pain. It is important that you seek treatment for tension headaches, as if you start to worry about the pain, this increases stress levels and is likely to worsen your headaches.3324225142875Muscle PainMuscle tension doesn’t just affect the muscles around your head, but the muscles throughout your body, so if bullying leaves you feeling tense, you may3667125514350Experience pain in your back and limbs as well. Psychological stress makes your muscles contract, not just when you are active, but also at rest, with this continuous contraction felt as pain. Altered blood flow to your muscles, metabolic changes within your muscle cells and reduced repair of damaged muscle fibers, all occurring as a result of stress, may alternatively explain your muscle aches.right123825Upset Digestive SystemIf you already suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, you may find that when harassed your symptoms are worse, increasing problems with pain, bloating and altered bowel habits. This is because there is a close relationship between your brain and digestive system, owing to the network of nerves that supply your gut, and experiencing stress increases intestinal sensitivity. However, even if you don’t have a pre-existing problem with your digestion, you can suffer from problems, such as constipation and bloating, as the stress response slows digestive transit and makes digestion less efficient.Weight Changes3867150285750If the bathroom scales show that you’re losing or gaining weight, this is another possible effect of bullying. For instance, increased production of cortisol in response to stress increases fat storage and appetite, and even if your body isn’t feeling the effects of cortisol, you may turn to food for comfort. Alternatively, some people find that they lose their appetite when stressed, and if your body breaks down your muscles for fuel, this muscle wasting can also contribute to weight loss.Altered Immune FunctionIf you notice you develop more colds and other minor infections when experiencing bullying, it’s no surprise, as continued exposure to stressful situations is linked to an increased risk of infections affecting your nose and throat. This may occur because white blood cells, which protect you from infectious agents, have receptors for stress hormones on their surface, so exposure to these can alter their function. Equally, when bullied you may not take such good care of your general health, perhaps using cigarettes or alcohol as coping mechanisms, eating less healthily and sleeping less, all of which can suppress your immune function. Finally, you may also seek extra social support during this time, so you are more likely to come into contact with microbes that cause infections, simply by having more social contact.You aren’t just more likely to suffer from infections when bullied, but if you have allergies, these are likely to worsen too. You may also have an increased risk of developing an autoimmune disease if you experience significant emotional stress as a result of bullying. Examples of these conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Graves’ disease, and occur when your immune system turns on your own body tissues. Indeed, around 80% of people affected by autoimmune conditions report experiencing high levels of stress before the onset of their ill-health. Possible Link With Heart DiseaseAlthough there is not a definite link between stress and heart disease, there are several ways in which stress may adversely affect the health of your heart. For instance, persistent stress increases blood pressure, but it also increases inflammation, which is another risk factor for heart disease. However, if harassment encourages unhealthy behaviors, such as turning to high fat, high sugar foods, drinking and smoking, this may also take its toll on the health of your blood vessels. If you have concerns about your physical health as a result of bullying, you should seek medical advice. However, it is also important to seek help to stop the bullying, as your health problems are unlikely to resolve till you address their cause.4438650304800Bullying and Suicide: Is It True?A link does exist between bullying and suicide, but it is not as simple as assuming that a victim will contemplate or commit suicide. Rather, the situation stems from multiple factors.3514725419100According to , “Although kids who are bullied are at risk of suicide, bullying alone is not the cause. Many issues contribute to suicide risk, including depression, problems at home, and trauma history. Additionally, specific groups have an increased risk of suicide, including American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian American, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. This risk can be increased further when these kids are not supported by parents, peers, and schools. Bullying can make an unsupportive situation worse.”This is primarily because bullying leads to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, both of which can contribute to suicidal thoughts, explains the CDC. While there is no conclusive evidence yet that bullying “causes” suicide, the close association between being bullied and having suicidal thoughts means parents, teachers and administrators should closely monitor bullying behavior so they can put an end to it, and should watch known victims closely.Children, as well as adults, should be educated about the relationship between suicide and bullying, to help them understand (as bullies, as victims and as observers) that this is not a harmless behavior, but one with serious consequences. Opening up the conversation and trusting kids with this information will help, not harm. In the next section we will talk about several other misunderstood aspects of bullying, in the hopes of dispelling harmful misconceptions.Why should we prevent bullying?Bullying can affect a person's life in many ways. Victims of bullying are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorder, and suicidal thoughts. Bullying can happen everywhere such as school, home, online, and in public. Bullying can threaten students' physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. Bullying will never solve anything and happens frequently, which isn't right. 1161925In April, Nigel Shelby a fifteen year old boy in Alabama committed suicide. Nigel struggled with depression and told his mother his sexuality made him a target of bullies. Bullying has gotten easier, worse, and the victims’ reaction has become more extreme. You should always help when someone is being bullied. When kids see bullying, they may not know what to do. They may be absent from school because they don’t feel safe. They may join in or stay silent so they won’t get bullied themselves. They may stand up to the bully. Kids live in fear everyday of going to school because of bullying, which is why we should prevent it from happening.What can schools do to help prevent bullying?Bullying can undermine students' physical and emotional wellbeing at school and can contrarily affect their ability to learn. The most ideal approach to avoid bullying is to stop it before it begins. There are various things school staff can do to make schools more secure and anticipate bullying.In a short study, we asked students at Sullivan Heights Secondary what should adults do to help stop bullying. The greater part of the students said to help students work out their problems and to supervise the school better. Schools don’t always need formal programs to help students learn about bullying prevention. Schools can incorporate the topic of bullying prevention in lessons and activities. Schools should teach students what bullying behavior is, and alternate tools for solving their problems or addressing their issues of concern. They should encourage a good relationship and open communication between students and parents, teachers, and administrators. Teachers should establish clear ground rules for students behavior. Make sure that everyone has an equal chance to participate. Ask questions when confused or stressed and give encouragement and assistance to others. In more serious cases, the principal may recommend that the student be expelled from school if the student was previously suspended for bullying and continues to present an unacceptable risk to the safety of another personWhat can people do help to prevent bullying?right161925By working with the school to help the bullying problem, you are leading by example and giving a clear message that bullying is wrong. There is a difference between “ratting”, “snitching” or “telling” and reporting. It takes courage to report. Reporting is done not to cause trouble for another student, but to protect all students. Be kind to the person being bullied. Show them that you care by trying to include them. Sit with them at lunch or on the bus, talk to them at school, or invite them to do something. Just hanging out with them will help them know they aren’t alone. Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone.You can be a leader in preventing bullying in your community. Don’t bully back, it may be difficult to not bully back, but as the saying goes, two wrongs don’t make a right. Find out more about where and when bullying happens at your school. Students and parents need to be a part of the solution to bullying. Schools sometimes give students a voice in programs to stop bullying. Think about what could help and then share your ideas. There is a good chance that the school doesn’t know all of what happens.3305175304800How do you know you’re getting bullied?One of the most obvious signs of bullying is physical assault in the form of punching, hitting, or striking. The bully may physically harm you with his own hands or an object, or they may threaten to physically harm you. Notice if the person screams, yells, or shouts at you. Verbal attacks in the form of screaming, yelling, or shouting can also be considered bullying. The bully may yell insults at you or mock you loudly in the presence of others. They may also taunt and yell at you when you are alone with them. Note if the person speaks ill of you to others. Bullies also tend to defame you to others by spreading mean-spirited lies or rumors about you or by making fun of you to others. Consider how you feel about the situation. Maybe you feel that they try to overpower you, and you're scared to talk to them, or they can stop you from doing things you care about. Conversations with them may end with you feeling powerless, frustrated, or unable to express how you feel and what you want. You might find your thinking back to them again and again, wondering how to deal with them or why they treat you this way.What to do if you’re getting bullied?Talk to a teacher or a supervisor. If you feel you are being bullied, it is significant that you don't keep the bullying a secret or hide it from people who can help you. You may be afraid to come forward and report the bully due to fear of backlash from the bully or rejection from your peers. But reporting the bully will be the first step to getting the bully to stop hurting you and can help you to recover from the trauma caused by the bullying.2400300190500Reach out to a counselor or therapist. Your school counselor is trained to deal with bullying and can often provide amazing advice on how to deal with your bully. As well, if you go to a therapist, you can talk to her about the bully and find ways you can deal with the bullying and make it stop. 3524250190500During the interview with counsellor of Sullivan heights secondary if a person is a victim of bullying he can report the actions of the bully on psst.ca it is a website where a person can report the crimes of bullying anonymously and the concerned school gets notified about the incident and steps are further taken to resolve the issue. In addition to the school the police is also notified of the issue of bullying in school because if the action of the bully results in violence, criminal actions can be laid.Always tell a parent, sibling, or someone close to you. Parents are often unaware that their child is being bullied and are only aware of the signs of bullying once their child brings it to their attention. Reach out to a parent or a sibling you feel you can talk to. Together, you can both work it out to find a solution for the bullying and make sure it stops before it gets any worse.SOURCES1- “What Is Bullying.” , Digital Communications Division (DCD), 30 May 2019, , Rob Benn-. “Home.” BullyingCanada, The RK Grant Family Foundation, 6 May 2019, .3-“Facts on Bullying and Harassment - Canadian Red Cross.” Red Cross Canada, 16 June 2019, . “Homepage.” Teenage Bullying: What to Look for and How to Help, Australian Government , 11 Dec. 2017, , Ann. “The Psychological Effects of Bullying on Kids & Teens.” Masters In Psychology Guide, Germ Magazine , 2019, “Homepage.” PSST, MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN, 12 Dec. 2017, , Anita. “Safeteen.” Safeteen, University of British Columbia, 8- Walton, Alice G. “The Psychological Effects Of Bullying Last Well Into Adulthood, Study Finds.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 21 Feb. 2013, 9-Morris , Lissa. “PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF BULLYING.” American SPCC, Amazon , 15 July 2014, 10- (HHS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "How to Prevent Bullying." . 30 May 2019. 15 June 2019 &lt; HYPERLINK "" \h (Ont.), Government of Ontario. "Bullying – we can all help stop it." Ontario.ca. 7 Sept. 2016. 15 June 2019 &lt;, Janelle, and Ali Gostanian. "Mother of gay Alabama teen who died by suicide hopes his death encourages tolerance." . 24 Apr. 2019. NBCUniversal News Group. 16 June 2019 <(HHS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Prevention at School." . 28 Sept. 2017. 16 June 2019 <, Wendy. "British Columbia." PREVNet. 16 June 2019 <(HHS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Warning Signs for Bullying." . 7 Feb. 2018. 16 June 2019 <(MHA), Mental Health America. "Bullying: What To Do If I'm Bullied." Mental Health America. 17 Aug. 2015. 16 June 2019 <;. ................
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