Risk Factors And Long-Term Effects Of Bullying

There are several risk factors and long-term effects that occur in the bullying of school-age children. This includes those as young as pre-kindergarten all the way to seniors in high school. Many of these risk factors can include and affect any age, gender or race. Some trends may show that older children are less likely to talk about their victimization and that boys are more likely to be involved in physical bullying, while as, young girls are more likely to use indirect bullying such as psychological or emotional abuse (Vanderbilt & Augustyn, 2010). Bullying in the schools can have a great impact on not just the individual victim but also the bully themselves, and even bystanders. All are at a high risk for developing long-term effects

According to Vanderbilt and Augustyn (2010), there are four groups that that should be considered when discussing the risk factors of bullying. This includes the victims, the bullies, the bully-victims and the bystanders. The individual victim of bullying may be a passive individual with difficulties in social situations or may just be in the wrong place and the wrong time. They may also have distinguished features that are different than others, such as late puberty, obesity, mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, and autism, or other physical or emotional impairments. Some of these characteristics may make them an easy target or easily exposed them to torture from other children. The bullies often hold social status in which they feel the need to use their power on those who are weaker. They often also

Though some of these effects may not occur after several years, it is important to discuss their causes and consider their effects on families, friends, schools and communities and society as a whole. The effects on the individual victim may be short-term but have the potential to lead to the long-term; these include depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal thoughts or actions. Longer-term effects can include, psychosomatic complaints, the use of medications, psychosis, low self-esteem, and anxiety disorders. These can lead to problems with romantic relationships, families, abuse and the use of drugs and alcohol. If a bully acknowledges their behavior they can be at high risk for depression, psychological distress, and anxiety. These can lead to them developing negative attitudes, bad conduct and even dropping out of school. Bullies are at high risk of developing long-term effects such as social problems, aggression, abuse, anti-social personalities, the development of anxiety disorders and substance abuse. These can have a great effect on the individual’s early adulthood, success and later employment. It can also affect their ability to maintain relationships and lead to criminal behavior. Bully-victims are at high risk of never recovering from their own victimization and continuing in aggressive behaviors. This can lead to them suffering from life-long depression, anxiety, mental health and