An article on the Scholastic website defines bullying as teasing taken to the extreme. It is repetitive and designed to cause harm to the victim. It can range from verbal aggression (like name calling) to physical aggression (hitting or throwing rocks). In today's tech-savvy world, bullying can also take the form of damaging information posted on the Internet and unwanted text messaging.
In a 2009 "Psychology in the Schools" article, researchers Flaspohler and colleagues state that the victims of bullies are more likely to suffer from depression than their peers. Victims also tend to report more physical complaints, mental health problems, and spend more time contemplating suicide than nonbullied children. Interestingly, the children who are both victims and bullies themselves are at the greatest risk for depression and other negative outcomes. Both the perpetrator and the victim are affected adversely by bullying encounters.
According to the "Psychology in Schools" article, bully victims reported higher levels of anxiety than their nonvictimized peers. Extreme anxiety over being revictimized may lead the child to avoid school altogether. Victims also report a lower quality of life and more social isolation than their peers.
Another 2001 study, published in the "Journal of American Medical Association" (JAMA), found an association between smoking and individuals exposed to bullying (either as victims or perpetrators). Middle school children in particular were more likely to engage in smoking associated with bully behavior. Bullies were also found to be more likely to use alcohol.
Bullying is a serious blow to the developing egos of children and teens. JAMA researchers asserted that bully victims experience more loneliness, unhappiness, and lower self-esteem than their peers. Likewise, they may have poor academic achievement and a lack of ease in making friends. Unfortunately, poor self-esteem persisted for those bullied even into young adulthood.