Psychology professor Dieter Wolke studied more than 6,430 children from birth to age 13 years old, administering interviews and psychological tests to the children and their parents. Prof. Wolke found that victims of bullies were more likely to experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, hearing voices, and believing others were spying upon them.
"Adverse social relationships with peers are a potent risk factor for developing psychotic symptoms," Dr. Wolke said in an article that appeared in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. "When we talk about bullying victimization, it is repeated, systematic and an abuse of power with an intention to hurt."
In recent years a greater degree of attention has been paid to the causes and effects of bullying, which has been linked to a wide range of social, emotional, and developmental disorders.
Labels: children, mental_health, bullying
Posted By: Aspen/CRC