Psychological Implications of bullying among Adolescents

This paper will address the psychological implications of bullying among adolescents. Bullying is a widespread public health concern that is drastically impacting our youth's mental health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  bullying is defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another student or group of students that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated multiple times (CDC 2023). Bullying can manifest in many different ways such as physical harm, emotional distress or humiliation, social alienation, online harassment, or destruction of personal property. Research shows that students who have been bullied or are being bullied are at higher risk of depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, poor academic performance, self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide. In 2019 Approximately 160,000 students were reported skipping school due to bullying(National Center for Education 2019). This can harm the student's mental health and academic performance, and lead them to feel further ostracized from their peer group. Rigby (2020). States that while many schools around the world have policies in place to address bullying in school, unfortunately, students who report being bullied are often overlooked. Moreover, one in four teachers see nothing wrong with bullying and will only intervene four percent of the time (Dosomething.org). Bullying especially in boys is minimized and seen as roughhousing or horseplay.

In a case study that looked at bullying and suicide, Klomek & Kumpulaine (2011) found that girls who were involved in bullying (victim or the perpetrator) were at a high risk for suicidal ideation.  The study also found that these girls were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Rigby and Slee (1999) found the association between bullying and suicidal ideation In boys. In this study, they found that boys who were bullied were significantly more depressed and at higher risk of self-harm.d. Kaltiala-Heino (1999) reported that among girls, severe suicidal ideation was associated with frequently being bullied or being a bully, and for boys, it was associated with being a bully. 

Numerous articles have highlighted the severity of bullying among adolescents, and this issue requires attention not just in the US but worldwide (CDC, 2023; Kaltiala-Heino, 1999; Klomek & Kumpulaine, 2011; Klomek & Kumpulaine, et al., 2008; Rigby, 2020). As a researcher, I want to contribute to this conversation by investigating the implications of bullying among adolescents in the United States through a case study. According to Yin (2009), case study research is an effective method to describe, explain, and explore complex events such as bullying. Unlike experimental designs, which test specific hypotheses through randomized controlled trials, case studies rely on exploratory questions, such as how, why and what. This approach is beneficial in identifying ways to address bullying, analyzing why current solutions have fallen short, and exploring the role of teachers and administrators in reducing bullying in schools. I am drawn to case study research and eager to apply the knowledge gained from this class to conduct a comprehensive study on bullying.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Fast facts: preventing bullying. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/bullyingresearch/fastfact.html

Klomek A.B., Sourander A., & Kumpulainen, K. (2011). Bullying and suicide. Psychiatric Times; 28:2.

Klomek, A. B., Sourander, A., & Kumpulainen K, et al. (2008). Childhood bullying as a risk for later depression and suicidal ideation among Finnish males. J Affect Disord. 109:4Psychiatric times7-55

Rigby, K. (2020). How Teachers Deal with Cases of Bullying at School: What Victims Say. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health; 17, 2338.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072338

Yin, R.K. (2009). Case study research, design and method. London: Sage Publications Ltd., 4