The Long-Term Effects of Bullying.
Bullying ruins lives. Fact.
Childhood bullying can have a serious impact on adult life. Various studies have shown a link between childhood bullying and mental health issues later in life, although research has suggested bullying can affect physical health too. A recent report published by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) found that children who were bullied in childhood had a greater risk of health related problems later in life.
Researchers highlighted that 26% of women who had been bullied in childhood were obese by the age of 45, compared with 19% who had not been bullied. If bullying was completely eliminated, researchers estimated it would prevent 12% of cases of obesity in mid-life among both women and men.
Drawing from the findings, Professor Louise Arseneault suggests that bullying can create ‘toxic stress’ – something that can have a similar impact on a child’s life as being abused by an adult.
The research shows a need to pro-actively tackle bullying behaviour as the long-term implications –whether mental, physical or both – can have a devastating effect on adult life. Any kind of bullying is unacceptable and should be treated with a zero-tolerance approach.
Learn more about how to recognise and prevent bullying behaviour with EduCare’s Preventing Bullying course. It covers what bullying is, who is affected by bullying, the part technology can play, the damaging physical and emotional effects and the actions you can take to tackle it in your organisation or setting.
Preventing Bullying can be purchased online or on paper. Visit the product page by clicking here.
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