- Bullying can damage mental and physical health in later life
- Victims are more likely to have depression and anxiety at the age of 50
- They also tend to have lower levels of education and to earn less
- They are less likely to be in a relationship or to be satisfied with life
06:44 EST, 18 April 2014
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14:27 EST, 18 April 2014
Childhood bullying can have such a devastating impact that victims consider suicide 40 years later, researchers have found.
Being bullied can damage both mental and physical health in later life and even affect living and social standards.
Researchers from Kings College, London, looked at 7,771 children, around a quarter of whom (28 per cent) were bullied between seven and 11, and followed them up until the age of 50.
Childhood bullying can lead to problems with mental and physical health later in life
They discovered that most of the victims were still suffering trauma as adults as a result of being picked on.
Dr Ryu Takizawa, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London said: ‘Our study shows that the effects of bullying are still visible nearly four decades later.
‘The impact of bullying is persistent and pervasive, with health, social and economic consequences lasting well into adulthood.’
Just over a quarter of children in the study (28 per cent) had been bullied occasionally and 15 per cent had been bullied severely, which researchers believe matches rates in the UK today.
It was discovered that victims of bullying were likely to be less physically healthy and have stronger possibilities of depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts at the age of 50.
And the study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, also revealed that bullies’ victims have lower educational levels, with men who were bullied more likely to be unemployed and earn less.
Relationships were also damaged with
victims of bullying found to be less likely to be in a relationship, and
more likely to have lower levels of satisfaction with their lives.
People who have been bullied are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety in middle-age
Senior author Professor Louise Arseneault, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s added: ‘We need to move away from any perception that bullying is just an inevitable part of growing up.
‘Teachers, parents and policy-makers should be aware that what happens in the school playground can have long term repercussions for children.
‘Programmes to stop bullying are extremely important, but we also need to focus our efforts on early intervention to prevent potential problems persisting into adolescence and adulthood.
‘Forty years is a long time, so there will no doubt be additional experiences during the course of these young people’s lives which may either protect them against the effects of bullying, or make things worse. Our next step is to investigate what these are.’
For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch, or click here for details.
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shakeandbake,
London, United Kingdom,
23 minutes ago
How dare you insult somebody over the Internet. I think that you must have some underlying issues regarding bullying. Man up.
MCflab,
Yo Mamas House, Antarctica,
39 minutes ago
I am in year 13 and all the way through middle school a lad in my class was bullied, and fortunately it stopped when we started high school but he still has not gotten fully over it, such as being so used to being picked on he feels nodoby can do anything about it and just shrugs it off. He has excellent grades and I hope he doesn’t experience the effects when he is an adult. Bullying should be more serious and comeuppances should be given out.
talibasher,
London, United Kingdom,
54 minutes ago
That explains a lot for me
gormenghastly,
Caledon, Canada,
1 hour ago
The world is full of bullies; always has been, always will be. Just look at Putin and all his fans.
Phil,
Exeter, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
Personally and sadly – I relate to this article and can only say – tell me about it.
Mamamia,
Cuckoo land, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
My 7 year old has been severely bullied, to the point where he wished he was dead and wanted to die. The teachers, head teacher and goveners did nothing, said he was over sensitive and had to toughen up. He was called names, excluded from games, told his work was rubbish, beaten up and made to do bad things. In a small class of 16 kids, 12 being boys, he said he was picked on because the loudmouth popular boys thought he was weak. Because I complained I also found myself excluded by mums and parent goveners. He started karate, he loves it, and has used it to defend himself. I’m hoping his self esteem will grow. Heartbreaking.
Isco,
Marbella, Spain,
1 hour ago
Not surprising, when kids bully other kids for stupid reasons it can make them anxious and self conscious over how new people perceive them. Schools don’t do enough.
jilly,
dorval, Canada,
1 hour ago
Wife beating and drunk driving and sexual harassment were at one time not crimes. Bullying is along the same spectrum and should be legally recognized as a crime.
hassan32,
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom,
1 hour ago
I have to admit I was bully in school , but a was young and foolish didn’t really consider other people feelings,, but 10 years on I have apologised directly to the indivuials involved and they chose to forgive
Also they leading happy lifes now
TexMex,
San Antonio, United States,
1 hour ago
When i was 10, we moved from one small texas town, to my parents hometown. this was the beginning of the end of my self esteem. I began school there in 5th grade and was bullied verbally for a looong time. they bullied me over my nose: Pinocchio, “big nose†“bird face†“witchâ€, etc. I had no friends, and I learned to not speak in class or anything because if I said anything, that would bring attention to me and someone would start: “oh shut up big nose…†by the end of 5th grade I wanted to die. I hated school and I hated living in that small town. The memories still sting. But for many years I believed only beautiful people, which in my book means, someone with a small nose had perfect lives. I never thought a man would love me or find me attractive. It has been a difficult journey. But because of what i experienced, I’ve taught my kids to not be bullies, to stand up for themselves, and to stop bullying if they see it. I suppose i’ve forgiven those kids, but it still stings.
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