Describe the ways that adolescents are bullied by peers (be sure to include the prevalence for each type). What are the consequences of experiencing victimization by peers? Are the consequences different for online bullying versus in-person bullying? How do adolescents typically respond to bullying? What is the best way to get a bully to stop?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Young adolescents who are victimized by their peers typically develop problems that lead to further peer rejection and victimization. In fact, victimization undermines feelings of academic competence, academic performance, and school engagement, which has cascading effects well beyond adolescence. Individuals can be exposed to direct victimization (when they are the victims) or indirect victimization (when they witness harassment or victimization, but they aren't themselves victimized). Studies of American and European youth indicate that about one-third of students report having been physically bullied at some time during the past year. Interestingly, one study found that bullying is more common in countries that have more income inequality. Cyberbullying is less common than in-person harassment. Those who engage in traditional bullying (in person) are also likely to frequently engage in cyberbullying. Similarly, adolescents who are frequently bullied in person are likely to also be the victims of online harassment.

Students who are harassed by their classmates, whether in person or electronically, report a range of adjustment problems (low self-esteem, depression, suicidal ideation, and academic difficulties). Individuals who report being bullies are more likely to show problems in social skills and in the control of aggression. Many of the same adolescents who report having been victimized also report bullying others; these adolescents have the greatest adjustment problems.

Adolescents who are bullied typically respond to bullies in one of four ways: those who are mainly passive (ignoring the bully), those who are mainly aggressive (fighting back), those who are likely to seek support (telling a parent), and those who did a little of everything. Research indicates that victims who use passive strategies (ignoring or walking away from the bully) reported the fewest number of emotional or behavioral problems.

Key Points

a) Describe victimization.

b) Discuss cyberbullying and in-person bullying.

c) Describe the effects of victimization and bullying.

d) Identify methods of responding to victimization.