Understanding Bullying And Its Causes
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Bullying is defined by the American Psychological Association as “a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort”. Although most people associate bullying with childhood, it can happen to anyone at any age. It can also take many forms, from verbal harassment to physical abuse and more. Bullying isn’t confined to the playground, either. Individuals can experience bullying online, in the office, at home, and elsewhere. Read on to understand more about the reasons why people may engage in this type of harmful behavior and what to do if you are or have been affected by it.
Types of bullying
Bullying can take various forms and may be classified in different ways depending on how and where it’s perpetrated. Some of the most common types are outlined below.
Physical bullying
This type of bullying is the one that comes to mind first for many people, perhaps because it’s the type most commonly portrayed in media. Forms of physical bullying can include pinching, hitting, shoving, and other aggressive behaviors designed to physically intimidate and/or harm a person. It can be perpetrated by an individual or a group and can cause potentially serious physical harm as well as mental/emotional distress.
Verbal bullying
Although this type doesn’t involve direct physical harm, it can still be highly damaging to the individual on the receiving end. Verbal bullying can include threats or blackmail, stealing or damaging property for spite, playing unwanted and/or cruel tricks or pranks, and saying or writing insults or hateful remarks directed at one individual, which may include racist, homophobic, ableist, or similar language.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when bullying behavior is conducted through electronic means, such as phones or computers. It may take place via text, email, social media, or other online platforms or systems. This type of bullying can be public or a mixture of both, but is almost always intentional and repeated. For example, cyber bullies may spread rumors about an individual online, post embarrassing pictures of them without permission, and send threatening or otherwise aggressive texts, emails, or instant messages.
Relational/social bullying
The behavior of social bullies is intended to impact an individual’s relationships and/or social standing. They may spread rumors about the target or embarrass them in front of peers. They may also ignore the individual and encourage others to do the same in an effort to isolate and alienate them. It’s not uncommon for a social bully to recruit or otherwise involve others in ganging up against the target. This behavior can be seen across a variety of settings, from high schools to workplaces, and it can be more difficult to detect than other forms since much of it often occurs covertly.
Common causes of bullying behavior
There are many different reasons an individual may engage in bullying behavior—and while these are not excuses, understanding them may help communities work toward solving this problem. Some of the common causes of bullying behavior are below.
- An attempt to improve social standing: Some people might bully others in an attempt to elevate or preserve their own social status. They may feel that demonstrating that they have power over other people makes them look better within their group and defends or improves their place within it.
- Lack of skills for emotional control: A person who bullies others may lash out because they don’t have the tools or knowledge to control their own difficult emotions. If they’re experiencing stress or sadness, for example, they may express these feelings in the form of aggression toward others.
- Troubled personal relationships: An individual who feels lonely could act out to get social attention, even if it’s not positive. A child or adolescent who is neglected or even bullied at home may act out toward others as a result of that hurt.
- A lack of social skills and/or empathy: Some people may lack the social skills to interact with others in a healthy way. They may not realize that their behavior is harmful to others, or they may not have the skills to get social attention in a more positive manner. They may also have trouble empathizing with others and putting themselves in their shoes.
- A mental health condition: In some cases, a mental health condition or challenge may be contributing to an individual’s demonstration of bullying behavior. For example, trouble with impulse control—which may result in bullying behavior in some cases—can be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or even a personality disorder like borderline personality disorder. Getting treatment for these conditions may help an individual learn to better control problematic behaviors like bullying.
Psychological impacts of being bullied
The mental health consequences on a bullied individual are often lasting and can be devastating. Bullying can cause immediate feelings of isolation, rejection, and exclusion. Low self-esteem, problems with trusting others, and anger issues are common effects of being bullied as well. One study also suggests that those who have experienced bullying are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as substance use and unprotected sex. If a person is experiencing physical bullying, they could also sustain physical injuries.
Other research indicates that experiencing bullying can increase the risk of “physical health problems, behavior and emotional problems, psychotic symptoms, and poor school achievement,” and that it’s also associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. It can also contribute to the development of a variety of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Psychological impacts of engaging in bullying
People who engage in bullying behavior are also more likely to experience mental health challenges, both as a cause and effect of bullying others. Research suggests that those identified as bullies are more than twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety, and ADHD. They were also six times more likely to be diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder, which is characterized by consistent patterns of aggression, irritability, hostility, and argumentative/defiant behavior.
What to do about bullying
If you or someone you know is being bullied, seeking the support of an authority figure is often a recommended course of action. If it’s taking place at school, involving teachers or administrators can help. If it’s happening in the workplace, managers or the HR department can be notified. Authority figures like these may be able to take the appropriate action to put a stop to the behavior and signal to others that it’s not acceptable.
If you’re experiencing emotional or mental health challenges as a result of having been bullied, seeking therapy and/or a support group can help you on the road to healing. If you find yourself engaging in bullying behaviors, therapy may also be helpful in getting to the root of them so you can change the way you interact with others for the better.
Seeking the support of a therapist
Again, a qualified therapist can offer nonjudgmental support for any person involved in bullying behavior, whether they’re enacting it, experiencing it, or have a loved one who is enacting or experiencing it. If you’re having trouble locating a provider in your area or traveling to in-person appointments, you might consider online therapy as a more convenient, flexible alternative. With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can meet with a licensed therapist via phone, video call, and/or online chat from the comfort of home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Research suggests that internet-based therapy can represent “a viable alternative” to in-person sessions in many cases, so you can typically choose the format that works best for you.
Takeaway
What are essays on the causes and effects of bullying?”
An essay on the causes and effects of bullying would likely address a number of subjects, including the following.
- What Causes Bullying: This section of the essay would likely deal with the different factors that can lead someone to be a bully, including mental health challenges, low self-esteem, and abusive parents or guardians.
- The Effects of Bullying: The next section of the essay could address what types of effects bullying can have on survivors, including the potential for the development of mental disorders, the decline in academic progress, or the feelings of social isolation it may create.
- What To Do If Bullying Occurs: In the final part of the essay, it may be helpful to address some techniques for both preventing bullying and intervening if bullying occurs. These may include educating the public about the signs of bullying, offering health and human services to students, or creating policies that establish a safer environment.
What is the main factor of cyberbullying?
While the question “Why does bullying happen?” may not lead to one single definitive answer, there are several factors and sources that may contribute. For cyberbullying, one significant source that may allow for more frequent bullying opportunities is social media. Websites and apps with ample user interaction (like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) can all provide environments that allow individuals to harass one another, in addition to creating other related problems. In many cases, these sites can allow users to participate in conversations exclusively, which may embolden them to bully others without fear of consequences.
What is the definition of bullying in an essay?
While the definition of bullying in the format of an essay may go into more detail, the National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) refers to bullying as an “ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical, and/or social behavior.” The NCAB goes on to reference the ways that bullying can impact others, specifying that it often takes the form of social, physical, or psychological harm.
As for how bullying works, it is carried out by an individual or a group who intends to harm other individuals or groups. In some cases, these actions may involve the misuse of authority or power. Bullies may engage in these behaviors for a number of reasons, including to feel powerful, in control, or to fit in with others. In addition, bullying may take place online, which is commonly referred to as “cyberbullying.”
What are 3 mental effects of cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying can have numerous mental effects, including the following.
- Feeling Helpless or Isolated: Those experiencing bullying may feel as though they are powerless to stop what is happening. Due to their belief that they cannot stop bullying, these individuals may become isolated to avoid further abuse or potential judgment from others; in turn, this isolation may cause further mental harm.
- Struggling to Focus: The experience of being bullied may make it more difficult for individuals to focus on school or participate in the activities they enjoy in their own lives. In addition, the ubiquitous nature of technology could make it harder to escape from cyberbullying, especially if one needs to complete work online.
- Aggravating Mental Disorders: If an individual is dealing with conditions like anxiety or depression, cyberbullying may cause an increase in symptom frequency or severity. In addition, a person may develop co-occurring disorders due to their bullying, including stress-related disorders like PTSD.
How many people experience suicidal ideation due to cyberbulling?
The National Institutes of Health estimate that those who experience cyberbullying may be more than four times as likely to report thoughts of suicide* or attempts as those who were not bullied. This may be a result of the increased time that young people are spending online, whether that time is related to recreation or required by academic institutions (as is seen with remote learning.) These risk factors may also be increased by pre-existing conditions like depression and anxiety, which could be exacerbated by cyberbullying.
*If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, its essential to reach out for help immediately. The 24/7 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988.
How many kids have depression due to cyberbullying?
One study found that individuals who experienced bullying were more likely to have depression than those who were not bullied. Over the three-year study, the prevalence of cyberbullying rose from 3.8% to 6.4% for female participants and 1.9% to 5.6% for male participants. Of those participants, 33% of females and 16.6% of males experienced the symptoms of depression in childhood. Overall, the study concluded that adolescents who experienced cyberbullying were 2.07 times more likely to have depressive symptoms.
Can cyberbullying cause anxiety?
According to one meta-analysis, those who experience cyberbullying (which may be incorrectly referred to as the “victims of bullying”) may be more likely to develop anxiety disorders compared to those who have not been subjected to these experiences. In addition, these studies found that perpetrators of cyberbullying may also develop anxiety disorders, as well as an increased risk of depression, elevated stress, poor academic performance, and higher rates of alcohol misuse. These effects may be worsened if the bully is a prominent part of their community or someone who holds a position of power, like a part of the student government.
How does bullying affect mental health sociology?
Bullying can affect mental health in numerous ways, and may even lead to the development of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, it's possible for survivors of bullying to struggle with substance use disorder or poor social functioning, which may affect their ability to maintain employment or healthy romantic partnerships. In these cases, it can be helpful to seek the help of a mental healthcare professional, like a counselor or therapist. While it may be difficult to know when to get assistance, there may not be a wrong place or wrong time in your life to seek out the help of a counselor. In many cases, these professionals can help with a variety of challenges, even if they do not relate to bullying.
What is cyberbullying and its effects essay?
An essay on cyberbullying and its effects would likely touch on a number of subjects, starting with a definition of cyberbullying. One definition could come from the American Psychological Association, which defines cyberbullying as “verbally threatening or harassing behavior conducted through such electronic technology as cell phones, email, social media, or text messaging.”
From there, your essay could answer questions like “Why does cyberbullying or in-person bullying happen?” or discuss how cyberbullying can affect others, possibly citing statistics of the higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in survivors. For the conclusion of your essay, it may be helpful to talk about ways to prevent cyberbullying or create a culture where bullying isn’t tolerated.
How does cyberbullying affect high school students?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, cyberbullying can affect high school students through a variety of forms, including emails, texts, direct messages, public messages, and photos. This type of bullying can be particularly harmful due to the significant ways that children and teens can get hold of these types of technology. This availability may make it easier for bullies to apply consistent pressure to classmates or other individuals they are targeting, as many adolescents have a consistent amount of contact with internet-connected and electronic devices. School bullying can also be isolating, as individuals may feel embarrassed to discuss their struggles with classmates for fear of being ridiculed.
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