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- Academic Pediatrics: Characteristics Associated with Low Self-Esteem Among U.S. Adolescents
- Academic Pediatrics: Characteristics Associated with Low Self-Esteem Among U.S. Adolescents
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The Effects of Bullying on Children in School
The bullying epidemic in the United States causes more than 160,000 kids to stay home from school each day, according to National Education Association estimates. Teasing, hitting, spreading rumors and making threats are forms of bullying that commonly occur on school grounds. While the impact of bullying varies from child to child, many victims experience short- and long-term effects that are difficult to recover from.
Poor Academic Performance
Research shows that victims of constant bullying are less likely to perform well in school. In a 2005 study, UCLA researchers followed a group of middle school students over a three-year period and recognized a direct correlation between excessive bullying and poor academic performance. Students who experienced a high level of bullying throughout the three years had substantially lower grades than those who experienced a low level of bullying or were not bullied at all. According to UCLA Psychologist Jaana Juvonen, those suffering the effects of bullying are generally unmotivated to learn.
- Research shows that victims of constant bullying are less likely to perform well in school.
- In a 2005 study, UCLA researchers followed a group of middle school students over a three-year period and recognized a direct correlation between excessive bullying and poor academic performance.
Low Self-Esteem
Common Psychological Problems of School Children
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Children who are bullied at school commonly feel tense, anxious and afraid, which makes it difficult for them to view themselves in a positive light. Bullies thrive on making others feel inadequate and worthless, and they are often successful. A child who lacks confidence often withdraws from others and is rarely happy. Substance abuse, obesity, mental health issues and violent outbursts can also develop due to low self-esteem, according to a 2010 article in "Academic Pediatrics."
- Children who are bullied at school commonly feel tense, anxious and afraid, which makes it difficult for them to view themselves in a positive light.
Depression and Suicide
Ongoing feelings of sadness can cause severe depression in bullied children. Suicidal thoughts are common in depressed children, and bullying has contributed to many suicides among U.S. teens. Suicidal children might engage in reckless behaviors, injure themselves, or show a sudden interest in death or dying. Closely monitor your child so you can recognize any subtle or extreme changes in his behavior.
- Ongoing feelings of sadness can cause severe depression in bullied children.
- Suicidal children might engage in reckless behaviors, injure themselves, or show a sudden interest in death or dying.
What Parents Can Do
What Are the Causes of Sociopathic Behavior?
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Regularly communicate with your child about bullying 1. Share statistics, discuss the severe effects of bullying on school-age children and encourage her to be kind to others despite any differences. Speak to school administrators about your district's anti-bullying policies and the methods used to enforce them. If your child is a victim of bullying, encourage her to stand up for herself without using violence and speak to a school official about the situation. Contact school administrators and seek psychological help for your child if she's the victim of severe bullying.
- Regularly communicate with your child about bullying 1.
- If your child is a victim of bullying, encourage her to stand up for herself without using violence and speak to a school official about the situation.
Related Articles
References
- American Psychiatric Association: Helping Your Child Deal with Bullying
- UCLA Newsroom: Victims of Bullying Suffer Academically as Well, UCLA Psychologists Report
- HealthyChildren.org: Bullies Beat Down Self-Esteem
- Academic Pediatrics: Characteristics Associated with Low Self-Esteem Among U.S. Adolescents
- New York State Senate: Teen Bullying & Suicide
- Harvard Medical School. School refusal: when a child won’t go to school. September 2018.
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Effects of bullying. Updated September 2017.
- Wolke D, Lereya ST. Long-term effects of bullying. Arch Dis Child. 2015;(100)9:879-85. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2014-306667
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Who is at risk. Updated February 2018.
- Ranta K, Kaltiala-Heino R, Fröjd S, Marttunen M. Peer victimization and social phobia: A follow-up study among adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2013;(48)4:533-544. doi:10.1007/s00127-012-0583-9
- Buwalda B, Stubbendorff C, Zickert N, Koolhaas JM. Adolescent social stress does not necessarily lead to a compromised adaptive capacity during adulthood: A study on the consequences of social stress in rats. Neuroscience. 2013 Sep 26;249:258-70.
- Litvin Y, Murakami G, Pfaff DW. Effects of chronic social defeat on behavioral and neural correlates of sociality: Vasopressin, oxytocin, and the vasopressinergic V1b receptor. Physiology & Behavior. 2011 June;103(3-4):393-403.
- Ranta K, Kaltiala-Heino R, Fröjd S, Marttunen M. Peer victimization and social phobia: A follow-up study among adolescents. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2013 April; 48(4):533-544.
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Writer Bio
Before starting her writing career, Tanya Brown worked as an eighth-grade language arts teacher. She also has a background in nursing, with extensive experience in urology, neurology and neurosurgery clinics. Brown holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and is pursuing her master’s degree in educational psychology.