Bullying and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review
Bullying among young people is a serious public health issue that has well-documented links to mental health problems. In fact, some experts consider it a major preventable risk factor for psychiatric disorders. The act of bullying typically involves repeated psychological, physical, or social aggression towards peers, often characterized by a power imbalance. Victims are often marginalized based on their differences, such as health conditions, disabilities, or LGBTQ+ identities.
Despite extensive research on bullying and mental health outcomes, less attention has been given to how individuals with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions are affected by bullying. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Abregú-Crespo and colleagues shed light on the prevalence and consequences of bullying involvement among this population.
Bullying perpetrators often marginalise victims based on a characteristic that makes them different, including mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Research Methods
The study searched six databases and screened 212 relevant articles for analysis. Data were categorized by disorder and type of bullying involvement. Prevalence rates, odds ratios, and effect sizes were used for the meta-analysis.
Key Findings
Prevalence
In children with mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions, traditional bullying victimization rates were 42.2%, perpetration rates were 24.4%, and perpetration-victimization rates were 14.0%.
Case-Control Analysis
Youth with these conditions had significantly higher odds of being involved in all types of bullying compared to controls. The odds varied by disorder, with anxiety and affective disorders showing higher victimization rates and conduct disorders showing higher perpetration rates.
Association with Mental Health
- Traditional bullying victimization was associated with internalizing, externalizing, general psychopathology, suicidality, and poorer functionality.
- Cyber-bullying victimization was linked to internalizing and externalizing measures.
- Perpetration and perpetration-victimization had distinct associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms.
Moderator Analysis
Factors such as geographical location and study design influenced the odds of bullying victimization among young people with these conditions.
Children and adolescents with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions are at an increased risk of bullying involvement.
Conclusion
The study underscores the elevated risk of bullying involvement and its detrimental impact on mental health among youth with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions. The association between bullying and adverse mental health outcomes is evident across various conditions and forms of bullying. Addressing bullying in this population is crucial for promoting better mental health and well-being.
