Impact of Bullying on Middle Childhood Development

Mental Health Impact

Educational Consequences

Physical Effects

Anxiety

Psychosomatic symptoms

Reduced energy

Altered appetite

Upset stomach

Difficulties sleeping

Headaches

Back pain

Dizziness

Psychotic symptoms

Altered cognitive skills

Depression

Poor health habit formation

Early onset of puberty

Suicidal ideation & behaviour

Self-harm tendencies

Substance misuse

Alcohol misuse

Illegal substances

Panic disorders

Lonlieness

Self-Identity Consequences

Low self-esteem

Reduced self-confidence

Hyperactivity

Feelings of isolation

Altered personality

Difficulties in school

Poor social skills

Risky sexual behaviour

Feeling disconnected from

Family

Friends

Feeling of alienation from peers

Community

Environment

School teachers

Feeling threatened, may result to carrying a weapon for protection

Missed school days

Difficulty focusing

Stress

Disengagement in learning

Lack of participation

Fear of acceptance

Reduced academic achievement

Tobacco use

Could lead to violent or withdrawn behaviour

Disruption in sleep patterns

Sleeping in excess

Inability to sleep

Nightmares

Exhaustion from not sleeping well

Shyness

Inability to contrate and retain new information

Early menstruation amongst females

Affects developmental growth

Experiencing puberty before peers can impact social and emotional wellbeing

Body image disorders

References


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


BullyingCanada. (n.d.). What is bullying? https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/get-help/


Rapaport, L. (2018). Early puberty in girls tied to bullying in school. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-puberty-bullying-idUSKCN1II2NI


Stopbullying.gov. (n.d.). Effects of Bullying. https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/effects

Risky behaviour