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Which Consequences does Bullying have?

 

Hello everyone! In this post, I want to focus on the consequences that bullying may have on its victims. During my research, I came across various effects of bullying. Richard Armitage divides them into three categories: educational consequences during childhood and adolescence, health consequences during childhood and adolescence, and all consequences during adulthood (2021). The impact of bullying on its victims is influenced by various factors, such as the intensity, form, or frequency of the bullying (Armitage, 2021). Educational consequences are notable, as bullying is related to negative academic effects such as low performance, decreased motivation, confidence and academic goals (Han, Ye & Zhong, 2025). Moreover, it may increase exam anxiety (Han, Ye & Zhong, 2025). Students who experience bullying, tend to achieve lower test scores and are more likely to skip school than those who do not (Armitage, 2021). In class, we also discussed that not wanting to go to school may be a warning sign of bullying. Health consequences of bullying involve effects on mental, physical and social health (Armitage, 2021). The negative impact on mental health includes depression, reduced self-worth, panic or self-harm (Han, Ye & Zhong, 2025). Moreover, studies have shown that being bullied is related to anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and suicide attempts (Han, Ye & Zhong, 2025). These outcomes are long-term and continue to affect victims although the bullying has decreased (Han, Ye & Zhong, 2025). Physical consequences of bullying are mainly psychosomatic (Armitage, 2021). The physical impact may also include sleep disturbances, such as difficulties falling and staying asleep (Rivara & Le Menestrel, 2016). Furthermore, bullying makes victims feel excluded and unaccepted, which affects their socialisation and thus, their social health (Armitage, 2021). In adulthood, there are three primary consequences of bullying, including psychopathology, suicidality and criminality (Armitage, 2021).

Researching this topic, has shown me how severe the consequences of bullying can be. It impacts various aspects of a person’s life, including their education and health. In addition to that, it is not just a temporary problem that ends when the bullying stops. Hence, it is crucial to become aware of the long-term consequences in order to support victims affected by it. Can you think of any additional consequences of bullying? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Sources of the blogpost:

Armitage R. (2021). Bullying in children: impact on child health. BMJ paediatrics open, 5(1), e000939. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000939

Han, Z. Y., Ye, Z. Y., & Zhong, B. L. (2025). School bullying and mental health among adolescents: a narrative review. Translational pediatrics, 14(3), 463–472. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp-2024-512

Rivara, F., Le Menestrel, S., Committee on the Biological and Psychosocial Effects of Peer Victimization: Lessons for Bullying Prevention, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on Law and Justice, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Health and Medicine Division, & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (Eds.). (2016). Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy, and Practice. National Academies Press (US).

Lara Düngfelder

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Comments

  1. hannah nysApril 22, 2025 at 2:57 AM

    What a powerful blog! I really appreciate how you highlighted the different consequences of bullying. People often focus mainly on the mental health side of things which is of course very important but I found it refreshing that you also brought attention to the impact it can have on school and how deeply traumatic it can be.

    When I think of bullying, I immediately think of how bad it can make you feel, how it can lower your self-esteem, or even make you scared to go to school. But I’ve noticed there’s still not enough discussion about how it affects school performance or the way you see yourself and others, even years later. It’s honestly shocking how deep those effects can go.

    Your blog does a great job of showing that bullying isn’t something small you can just “ignore,” like people sometimes say. It has consequences in so many areas, and it’s important that more awareness is raised about that. Thanks for sharing!

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