Bullying and Adolescent Psychopathology

Running Head: Bullying and Adolescent Psychopathology

The Effects of Bullying Behavior in the

Development of 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

the victim into adulthood.

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The Effects of Bullying Behavior in the Development of

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,

DeWit, and Hirasing, 2003).

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

especially among females (Eisenberg, Neumark-Sztainer, and Story, 2003).

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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

victims. Journal of Childhood Psychology and Psychiatry. 46:186-197.

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

learned and where do we go from here? School Psychology Review.32:365-83.

Fekkes, M., Pijpers, F.I., & Verloove-Vanhorick, S.P., (2004). Bullying behavior and associations with

psychosomatic complaints and depression in victims. Journal of Pediatrics. 144:17-22.

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

Rating Scale (DSRS).Nord Journal of Psychiatry.59:365-673.

Juvonen, J., Graham, S., & Schuster, M.A. (2003). Bullying among young adolescents: the strong, the

weak, and the troubled. Pediatrics. 112:1231-1237.

Kaltiala-Heino, R., Rimpela, M., Rantanen, P. & Rimpela, A. (2000). Bullying at school: an indicator of

adolescents at risk for mental disorders. Journal of Adolescence. 23:661-674.

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

York. Vol. 38, Iss. 2.

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References

Nansel, T.R., Overpeck, Mary, Ramani, Pilla, Ruan, June, Simons-Morton, Bruce, & Scheidt, Peter.

(2001). Bullying behaviors among US youth. JAMA. 285:2094-2100.

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

and offenders of direct and indirect bullying. Pediatrics. 111:1312-17.

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