‘Effects of bullying are felt in adulthood’

CHILDHOOD bullying, if not nipped in the bud, could have profound effects reaching into adulthood.

Many think bullying ends with childhood and a smooth transition into adulthood is possible. In reality, this seldom happens. A study at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on the impact bullying at school has on an individual’s self-esteem during young adulthood, shows people who have been bullied often have difficulty forming relationships and tend to lead less successful lives.

“Persistent bullying may erode the victim’s self-confidence, induce serious health problems and even ruin the victim’s career,” the study says.

The study done was by Christine Darney, a clinical psychology intern at the university, Greg Howcroft, a senior lecturer and Louise Stroud, also a senior lecturer and the head of the psychology department at the university.

They concluded that many people thought bullying was a normal part of childhood but they also found children’s experiences in schools were fundamental to their successful transition into adulthood.

“The most extreme consequences of bullying for victims and society is violence, in the form of both murder and suicide,” the study says.

Deliberate and unjustified physical violence appears to be universally accepted as bullying, however, other more covert behaviours, such as namecalling, mockery or being isolated, ignored or rejected from the friendship group, while viewed as unpleasant, are not universally accepted as bullying.

The study also showed that victims may experience headaches, sleeplessness, anxiety and depression. Some may even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Ellen deLara, the author of a book called Bullying Scars found people who admitted to being bullied in a traumatic way during their childhood did not think they had symptoms of PTSD.

However she observed symptoms that fit the PTSD diagnosis in adulthood.

Dr Tienie Maritz, a psychologist, said psychopathologies like depression and anxiety do show significant patterns in bullied victims.

“Bullying is an attempt to instil fear and self-loathing,” Maritz said.