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Grand Canyon University *

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104

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Psychology

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Unmasking the Connection: Bullying, Mental Health, & Psychosomatic Symptoms in Adolescence Jesse Cantu Grand Canyon University UNV-104 : 21 st Century Skills Ms. Mundle August 20, 2023
2 Unmasking the Connection: Bullying, Mental Health, & Psychosomatic Symptoms in Children In the complex web of childhood experiences bullying stands out as a widespread issue. Globally, one in three children have been bullied in the past 30 days (Armitage, 2021) causing detrimental effects leaving a lasting impact on psychological, physical and emotional problems, overall inflicting significant harm to a child's well-being. Bullying can be defined as an aggressive behavior repeated over time with the intention to harm the victim. It is characterized by an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim, with the bullied person being the weaker of the two (Juvonen & Graham, 2014). The abuse can Occur in different forms, including Physical, verbal, or psychological, and now through Cyber bullying. This essay aims to explore three ways in particular which being bullied can negatively affect children: by causing mental health issues, psychosomatic disorders, and self-harm. First off, one of the most concerning things from being bullied is the negative impact on the child’s mental health. One study by Goldberg et al,.(2023) examined the relationship between bullying involvement and mental health indicators among children receiving clinical care. The research found that victims of bullying were more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The constant harassment and intimidation experienced by victims of bullying can often lead to feelings of worthlessness, shame, and loneliness, ultimately leading to a decline in their overall mental well-being. In An article by Copeland et al,. (2013), it was revealed that children who were frequently bullied had an increased likelihood of suffering from generalized anxiety, panic, and post-traumatic stress disorder(s) compared to non-victimized children. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a
3 mental health condition that typically happens after an individual experiences a traumatic event. While it is commonly associated with war veterans or survivors of natural disasters, research has increasingly shown that children who experience bullying can also develop symptoms consistent with PTSD. There have been numerous studies that have explored the link between child bullying and the development of PTSD. As proof, a study conducted by Holt et al. (2015) examined the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among bullied children and adolescents. The researchers found that victims of bullying were significantly more likely to exhibit symptoms associated with PTSD, such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance behaviors. Additionally, a longitudinal study by Copeland et al. (2013) demonstrated that childhood bullying victims was a risk factor for the subsequent development of PTSD in early adulthood. In addition to PTSD, child bullying has been associated with other mental health issues. Victims of bullying commonly experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. A comprehensive literature review by Wolke et al. (2013) examined the long-term psychosocial effects of bullying and found consistent evidence that bullying was associated with increased risk of mental health problems. Ultimately, bullying disrupts a child’s sense of safety, security, and overall well-being, leading to a chronic state of stress. The exposure to repeated trauma, often in the form of verbal taunts, physical aggression, or online harassment, can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope and adapt, resulting in the development of symptoms related to PTSD. In addition to mental health issues, psychosomatic problems can arise as a direct result of bullying (Goldberg et al,. 2023) . The stress and emotional turmoil caused by bullying can manifest physically, leading to various psychosomatic symptoms. Victims of bullying often experience physical complaints such as headaches, stomachaches, sleep disturbances, and dizziness without any identifiable medical cause (Srini, 2020). These psychosomatic problems
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4 not only deteriorate a child's quality of life but also have a direct impact on their ability to focus and engage in school and other daily activities. The study by Gini et al. (2018) examined the relationship between bullying victims and psychosomatic symptoms in a sample of child adolescents. The study found that more than half of the participants who had experienced being victim to bullying reported experiencing psychosomatic symptoms, with girls being more likely to report experiencing psychosomatic symptoms than boys. The study also found that the longer an individual experienced being bullied, the more likely they were to report experiencing psychosomatic symptoms. This suggests that the negative impact of getting bullied on an individual’s physical and psychological well-being increases with time. In addition to mental health and psychosomatic problems, being bullied in school has been linked to self-harm in adolescents. Self-harm is a coping mechanism that individuals use to deal with emotional pain. The behavior involves inflicting harm to oneself as a way of releasing tension to cope with the pain and regain a sense of control over one’s emotions and life. Research has demonstrated that bullied victims are more likely to engage In self-harm behaviors (Myklestad & Straiton, 2021). This type of behavior can consist of cutting one's self or even worse, suicide. In Espelage and Holt's work with middle school students, suicidal ideation and attempts were significantly more prevalent among bullied victims, with rates of ideation and attempts three to five times higher than the rate of uninvolved youth (Espelage & Holt, 2013). Bullying has serious and long-lasting effects on a child's well-being. From mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD to psychosomatic problems, and even self-harm behaviors, the impact of bullying on children's lives cannot be underestimated. Recognizing the seriousness of bullying and implementing comprehensive anti-bullying measures at all levels is crucial for the well-being and future success of all children.
5 In conclusion, child bullying victims experience severe detrimental effects on their well- being. Research has shown that these victims are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Additionally, the stress and trauma caused by bullying can lead to psychosomatic disorders, where physical symptoms manifest due to psychological distress. Furthermore, the distressing experience of being bullied can drive some children to engage in self-harm as a coping mechanism. The studies conducted by Goldberg et al. (2023), Gini (2013), and Myklestad and Straiton (2021) provide valuable insights into the harmful effects of bullying victimization during adolescence. It is imperative for society to address this issue and provide support to these vulnerable children to ensure their overall well- being and mental health.
6 References Armitage R. (2021). Bullying in children: impact on child health. BMJ paediatrics open , 5(1), e000939. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000939 Copeland, W. E., Wolke, D., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence. JAMA psychiatry , 70(4), 419–426. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.504 Espelage, D. L., & Holt, M. K. (2013). Suicidal ideation and school bullying experiences after controlling for depression and delinquency. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 53(1 Suppl), S27–S31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.017 Gini, G., & Pozzoli, T. (2013). Bullied children and psychosomatic problems: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 132(4), 720–729. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0614 Goldberg, J., Smith, J. D., Whitley, J., & Rogers, M. (2023). Bullying Involvement among Children Receiving Clinical Care: Links to Mental Health Indicators, Individual Strengths, and Parenting Challenges. Child & Youth Services , 44(2), 105-121. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2022.2040358 Holt, M. K., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Polanin, J. R., Holland, K. M., DeGue, S., Matjasko, J. L., Wolfe, M., & Reid, G. (2015). Bullying and suicidal ideation and behaviors: a meta- analysis. Pediatric s, 135(2), e496–e509. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-1864
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7 Juvonen, J., & Graham, S. (2014). Bullying in schools: the power of bullies and the plight of victims. Annual review of psychology, 65, 159–185. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev- psych-010213-115030 Myklestad, I., & Straiton, M. (2021). The relationship between self-harm and bullying behaviour: results from a population based study of adolescents. BMC public health, 21(1), 524. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10555-9 Wolke, D., Copeland, W. E., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Impact of bullying in childhood on adult health, wealth, crime, and social outcomes. Psychological science , 24(10), 1958–1970. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613481608