Treatment for bullying victims may need a lot more attention than it’s currently getting. According to a new study, bullying can leave a pretty deep scar even into college—especially on young girls. ScienceDaily recently reported on the details of the new study.
Serious psychological trauma
The new study from the University of Illinois included nearly 500 college students. Researchers looked at what effects from bullying might begin to show at this age. They discovered that bullying has the power to cause the same amount of “long-term psychological trauma on girls as severe physical or sexual abuse.” This shows evidence that treatment for bullying is needed into adulthood, not just in adolescence.
Individuals were asked about traumatic experiences they’ve had, which included things like bullying, sexual assault, domestic violence, cyberbullying, and more. These had to be experienced between birth and 17 years old. They were also screened for psychological health and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Those that had experienced bullying in childhood had many more mental health issues than others, showing that the effects of bullying follow victims into adulthood. So much so, that a bullying experience was the most common predictor of PTSD symptoms in students attending college—this had a greater effect than witnessing other violence or trauma.
Treatment for bullying needed more than ever
In a world where bullying is easier and more widespread than ever, treatment for bullying is necessary for our future generations’ health.
Dorothy Espelage, an educational psychologist who conducted the study, stated:
“Bullying victimization significantly predicted students’ current levels of depression and anxiety — over and above other childhood victimization experiences. The prevalence of psychological distress in children who have been bullied is well-documented, and this research suggests that college students’ psychological distress may be connected in part to their perceptions of past childhood bullying victimization experiences.”
Espelage believes that this study confirms the strong need for more treatment for bullying—not only early on in middle school, but later on in college, too. There’s a higher need not just for treatment for bullying, but for interventions when bullying is occurring.
We can help your daughter succeed
Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for young girls, ages 10-14, struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bullying, and other behavioral or emotional issues.
For more information about how Asheville Academy offers treatment for bullying in young girls, call 800-264-8709 today.