The causes and effects of bullying in schools and how to help

What is the definition of bullying?

According to the (Australian) National Centre Against Bullying², bullying can be defined as:

"An ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening."

In short, a bully is someone who takes advantage of power imbalances of any kind in order to cause harm on an ongoing basis. This could be in the form of:

• Demeaning comments
• Acts of violence
• Aggressive behavior
• Intimidation
• Cyberbullying
• Verbal abuse
• Physical abuse

It's important to note that bullying isn't an isolated incident of nastiness or mutual animosity. Instead, it is characterized by an ongoing and one-sided nature. For example, two young people engaged in an argument, on a level playing field, isn't necessarily bullying. In fact, this may be an important part of children developing conflict resolution skills. On the other hand, an older or bigger child intimidating a smaller or younger child, on an ongoing basis, is bullying.

Above all else, bullying can be identified by the impact it can have on your child's mental health. If you believe your child has fallen prey to bullying, here are some signs you need to look out for.

What are signs someone is being bullied?

One of the most commonly reported effects of bullying is an overwhelming sense of shame³. Victims can learn to internalize the sense that they are to blame, and they may feel reluctant to discuss it. Even with their parents.

If you suspect your child is being bullied and you confront them, they may deny it. This is why knowing the telltale signs that a child is being bullied is an important step towards keeping your child safe.

According to the National Centre Against Bullying, here are some signs that a child is being bullied⁴:

• Changes in sleep patterns
• Mood swings
• Absenteeism, or reluctance to attend school
• Social withdrawal
• Unexplained marks, cuts or bruises
• Missing, or damaged belongings
• A change in demeanor or posture

While some of the above may be a natural part of adolescence, if several of these are true of your child, it is possible that they're being bullied.

What are the causes and effects of bullying in schools?

Causes of Bullying:

There are numerous risk factors that can increase the likelihood of bullying behavior. Research⁵ has shown that these behaviors stem from environmental factors at home.

If a child is predisposed to the following, they are more likely to display bullying traits:

• Parental Neglect or Negative Perception: Children who experience neglect or are viewed negatively by one or both parents (or primary caregivers) may be prone to bullying others.
• Fractured or Dysfunctional Family Units: A disrupted family environment can contribute to a child's inclination to engage in bullying behavior.
• Authoritarian Parenting Styles: Parents with overly controlling or authoritarian approaches that include harsh treatment can inadvertently foster aggression in their children.
• Abusive Home Life: Exposure to an abusive home environment, whether it's emotional or physical harm, can lead to aggressive behavior at school.
• Poor Academic Performance: Struggling academically can be a source of frustration for children, leading some to vent their feelings through bullying.

Further, the research points to bullying as a school-wide phenomenon that can be fostered by the school climate. If school staff are bullies, or they tacitly support bullying behavior by believing that it's 'not a big deal', bullying can become ingrained in the school environment. Disciplinary action and support for both the victim and the bully must be provided to address the behavior.

Effects of Bullying:

The repercussions of bullying are profound and affect victims in a wide range of ways. These effects include¹⁰:

• Lower Academic Performance: Victims of bullying often experience difficulties in concentrating and learning, leading to lower academic achievement.
• Lower Self-esteem: Bullying erodes a victim's self-worth, leaving lasting impacts on their confidence and self-esteem.
• Increased Risk of Mental Health Issues: Bullying victims are at a heightened risk of developing depression and anxiety, which can persist into adulthood.
• Long-Lasting Effects: Adults who endured bullying as children are at a higher risk of suicidal ideation, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and other adverse effects that can have a profound impact on their physical and mental health.

It's important to clarify that bullies, themselves, are the cause of bullying at school. Many victims of bullying feel that they are responsible, or have in some way brought the bullying upon themselves. This is not true and should be reiterated to the victim.

Despite the grim outlook, it is crucial to recognize that with the right support, coaching, and training, victims of bullying can recover and even thrive after enduring these challenging life experiences. Understanding the causes and effects of bullying is the first step toward creating a safer and more supportive school environment for all students.

Who is at risk of bullying?

While it's true that anybody is at risk of bullying, sadly, there are common characteristics that place some children at a higher risk of being bullied⁹.

Research has shown that racial differences, sexual orientation, and physical disability¹⁰ are common risk factors associated with being a victim of bullying. Other qualities, such as children who are perceived as over or underweight, small in stature, or have social anxiety may also make some students a bigger target for bullies.

Advice for parents whose children are experiencing bullying in school

When your child is experiencing bullying, it is crucial to lend an empathetic ear and engage in open conversations with them.

By doing so, you can gather information about the situation and take steps toward resolving the problem. Creating a calm and caring environment during these discussions will give your child a sense of love and support.

Here are some steps you can take to help a victim of bullying.

Listen

It's natural to want to give a bullied child advice on how they should tackle the problem. Sometimes, simply listening to them is even more helpful. Instead of interjecting with your own opinions, just let them tell their story. This will also help you to gather information if you want to take things further with the school.

Seek therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been found to be an effective intervention for children who are prone to bullying⁶. A study has children who had personality types that are known risk factors for bullying (anxiety, sensitivity, impulsivity, sensation seeking) were at a reduced risk of being victimized after a period of CBT.

Join a support group

Many bullied children feel as though they lack strong peer relationships. For this reason, joining a bullying support group where they have a safe space to discuss their issues, and also develop crucial skills can be invaluable. In these spaces, bullied children can build social skills and a sense of comradery. They report feeling stronger, safer, and happier while working together as a team to solve their issues⁷.

Journal

Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings. Journaling can be an excellent way to reflect and process what is happening. Best of all, it can lead to understanding and provide solutions.

Writing down thoughts at the moment and developing a consistent journaling practice is the best way to see results.

Carving out some family time and using an expression deck is an excellent tool. It will guide you with journal prompts that include questions to help you with self-growth so your child can listen to their inner voice and build confidence. They are a great tool to help kids communicate with their families on a deeper level. If some of your family values include self-expression and communication give it a try!

How can you help someone with bullying behaviors?

If your child is a bullying victim, it can be hard to think of a bully as someone who needs help. However, young people who engage in bad behavior aren't always 'bad kids'. With the right intervention, they can see the error of their ways and recognize their own negative behaviors.

According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the first step towards helping a child with bullying behaviors is to know the signs⁸.

• Impulsivity
• Prone to physical violence
• Coming home with items that don't belong to them
• Difficulty expressing feelings or understanding others' feelings
• Social relationships marked by conflict or aggression
• Rough or aggressive in their social interactions
• Unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions
  
  

If you suspect your child is involved in bullying, it's important to make it clear to them that it isn't acceptable. Remember that as a parent, you can make it clear that treating others with mutual respect is one of your core values.

Understanding motivations for bullying

If you suspect that your child is bullying others, it's important to understand what motivates them to do so. This is where F4S free assessment can help you to understand your child's motivational traits.

With a better understanding of what is causing the behavior, you will be empowered to take positive action toward behavioral change. You can set a goal and then AI Coach Marlee will create a personalized coaching plan to support your success. 90% of users meet their goal when they finish their coaching program!

For example, someone with bullying tendencies might benefit from increasing their emotional skills with our EQ coaching program. While someone who is being bullied might want to strengthen their personal power.