Bullying has always been a problem. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, bullies and victims of bullying are more likely to have suicidal thoughts by the time they reach the age of 11 compared to kids who have never been bullied or played the bully.
Looking at data from 6,043 children in another study called "Children of the '90s," researchers analyzed instances of bullying in kids between four and 10 years old as well as the prevalence of suicidal thoughts of kids 11 or 12 years old. Information from parents, teachers, and students themselves were taken into consideration.
Results then revealed that bully-victims—bullies who were victims of bullying—were three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and that those who were victims of bullying for a long period were six times more likely to think about suicide compared to other children. Bullies who never became victims, on the other hand, were also at risk for suicidal behavior, but this didn’t appear to be as strong or as consistent.
The findings are no small matter. Researchers have found that 4.8 percent of the population have thought about suicide, while 4.6 percent have exhibited suicidal behavior. If anti-bullying campaigns are to have more impact, researchers believe that they should begin as early as primary or preschool onward. Parents, teachers, and even fellow students should also be more vigilant.
For more on bullying, check these out on FN:
- Research Shows Bullying Affects Bystanders Too
- Kids are more accepting of peers who try to change "bad" traits
- Bully or Bullied? How your child's problem-solving skills can put an end to childhood torment
Suicide can sometimes stem from depression. Learn more about it with these articles on FN:
(Photo by EndOrfinaS~ via Flickr Creative Commons)
