The Long Term Effects Of Bullying

Although peer bullying is universally accepted as one of the worst things that can happen to a child, the lack of knowledge and insight into sibling bullying hides the tremendous and scarring impact it has on a child, making it comparably worse. Bullying is an umbrella term that can be used to describe many different situations, so it’s important to define what exactly a bully is. Merriam Webster gives ‘bully’ a very colorful definition: “a blustering browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker”. This definition is key to the discussion of bullying. Its equal parts defined as ‘blustering’ – loud and aggressive – ‘browbeating’ – “to intimidate by stern or arrogant speech”. The victim (definably weak) has

The effects of being bullied is more traumatic than what you might expect. In a study done by Dr. Copeland, Dr.Wolke, Psychiatrist Adrian Angold, and Dr. Costello, to examine the long effects of bullying, they found that victims of bullies had a higher prevalence of agoraphobia (Fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (Mayo Clinic Staff)), generalized anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and suicide. Not only do the victims have to deal with being bullied, they are stuck living a stained life. Stained by mental illness and in some cases death. According to a study done by Dr. Espelage and Dr. Holt, victims of bullying were 2.4 times more likely to report suicidal ideation and 3.3 times more likely to report a suicide attempt than those who reported not being bullied. When our kids are driving their peers to desire death from bullying, then how does it compare to the live in

Family size, male siblings, financial difficulties, and parenting techniques all contribute to the formation of a sibling bully (Tippett, Neil, and Wolke). Parenting style/techniques is a serious indicator of sibling bullying in families, and this makes sense. Parents who are very hands-off will let more sibling bullying go, assuming it is just normal sibling fights, or they might not even think to notice a sibling aggression problem. Parents can also favor the child who is the bully (consciously or subconsciously) giving the child a place of power (and subsequently, creating a bully-victim relationship). Having a harsh parenting style can also create sibling aggression by showing their children their own aggression and making it acceptable. Harsh parenting can be considered as harsh discipline, insecure attachment, and high levels of conflict. Family size can also be an indicator of sibling bullying. If a family has more than one sibling, and in particular, male siblings, then that family has an increased the risk of victimization. The older sibling will most often be the bully since they are physical bigger/stronger and mentally smarter, giving them the advantage over the smaller