Asian Scientist (Jan. 21, 2014) – Young teenage bullies and their victims face increased risks of developing mental health and substance use problems later in adolescence, according to a new study in Australia.
The study by University of Queensland researchers examined the mental health outcomes of 17-year-olds who had been involved in peer aggression and bullying at 14 years of age.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr James Scott said the results showed that peer aggression was an independent risk factor for mental illness.
“With 40.2 per cent of participants reporting involvement in some form of peer aggression – either as the victim, perpetrator or victim-perpetrator – bullying is clearly a serious public health issue,” Dr Scott said.
Results showed that victims of bullying had a higher chance of developing “internalizing behaviors” such as depression, anxiety and social withdrawal.
The bullies themselves were found to have an increased risk of developing “externalizing behaviors” such as alcohol and other substance abuse problems and interpersonal violence.
“Bullies are also more at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviors in later years” Dr Scott said.
Victim-perpetrators were found to have the highest risk of developing later psychological problems and to have poor psychosocial functioning.
Dr Scott said parents of adolescents who had been involved in peer aggression and bullying should monitor their teenagers and look for warning signs of mental health problems.
These could include a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, decline in academic performance, social isolation or changes in their sleeping or eating patterns.
“Just because the bullying has stopped doesn’t necessarily mean everything is going OK,” he said.
“Every school should have a strategy in place to reduce bullying.
“Teenagers who have been victims or are engaged in bullying behaviors need ongoing monitoring of their mental health.”
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Source: University of Queensland; Photo: puroticorico/Flickr/CC.
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