ABC News Article
Being a Bully Is Bad For Your Health.
A new study suggests both bullies and their victims are at risk for problems that threaten their health, safety and education, but the bullies themselves may be more affected.
Based on a survey of nearly 9,600 US students in grades 6 to 10, researchers found that 39 per cent had been a victim or perpetrator of bullying, or in some cases both.Compared with their peers, all of these students had a higher risk of physical injuries whether accidental, inflicted by other people, or self-inflicted, the researchers report in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health.
They were also more likely to abuse over-the-counter medications, harm animals or other people, use weapons or be frequently absent from school.
But while both victims and bullies were more likely to have such problems, it was bullies, including those who were sometimes injured themselves, who had the greatest risk.
"We see that the [obvious] victims are not the only victims. The bullies are also victims of their own emotional problems," lead researcher Dr Jorge Srabstein, of the Children's National Medical Centre in Washington, DC, said in a written statement.
Dr Srabstein and his colleague Dr Thomas Piazza found that students who bullied also showed some risk behaviour not seen among their victims.
For example, they were more likely than their peers to drink or use any type of drug, set fires, get poor grades and skip classes.
"[The findings] should urgently alert paediatric practitioners and educators to the need for joining efforts in the prevention of this very serious public health issue," the researchers said.
Dr Srabstein said both the perpetrators and the victims of bullying should be referred for professional help if they show problems such as those reported in this study.
