Torments of Bullying on One’s Mind and its Mental Development

Team Members:

· 20UEC033 – Aryaman Vaishya

· 20UEC034 – Aryan Kasat

· 20UEC092 – Pradhuman Singh Naruka

· 20UEC105 – Ronak Surana

· 20UEC113 – Saransh Sahu

· 20UEC126 – Shubham Thorbole

Abstract

The issue of bullying affects both children and adults severely. Individual and social variables
can both be risk factors for bullying. In addition to the acute trauma of bullying, victims are
highly susceptible to developing later physical and emotional illnesses that can have severe and
adverse effects on their minds. Bullies are the ones who inflict this trauma, yet because of their
involvement, they also experience negative long-term impacts. Viewers are also not immune to
the harmful effects of bullying or innocence in your appearance. Although common in schools,
pediatricians can identify and support abused children. They also have the exceptional chance to
implement anti-bullying initiatives in schools and the community. Apart from being common in
schools, it is also experienced in societies among adults where physiatrist and police officials are
supposed to support these adults. This article will outline the anguish, risks, signs, and symptoms
of bullying to assist physicians in identifying and helping these youngsters in need.

Keywords : Bullying, Children, Adults, Torments, Abuse , Psychology

Introduction: What is Bullying?

Bullying is a pattern of aggression that occurs recursively when a person (or group of people)
in a position of authority targets another person for physical or emotional harm, which can
have a negative effect on the victim's mental health. Abuse can be verbal or physical in nature.
During adolescence, as they learn to speak and mature into adults, a lot of young people can be
mean to one another. However unpleasant this link may be, there is a clear difference between
dispute and bullying/hazing. Bullying/hazing cases should have all three of the following
characteristics:

1) Intentionally - the behaviour was aggressive and a deliberate attempt to harm the other
person.
2) Repeatedly - these aggressive acts occur repeatedly over time in one person or group of
people.

3) Inequality - a bully has more physical or social power than any person being abused
in society.

History of Bullying

Following the sexual harassment in the workplace issue in the early 1980s, the phenomena of
workplace bullying as we know it now first came to the attention of the general public. During
that decade, a Swedish psychologist conceptualized and coined the term “Bullying,” and a
British Journalist popularized it.

Bullying emerged as the country's first significant problem, with several educational institutions
and governmental organizations taking a keen interest in preventing it. Because of how serious
the issue is, companies should put in place a responsible duty of care program.

Types of Bullying

Many different types of abuse can be experienced by children and adults, severely affecting
their minds, some of which are obvious, and some can be subtle. Let's look at types of
bullying:

1. Physical Abuse: The most obvious form of abuse, physical abuse, is what most people
think of when considering this concept. This type is usually the most obvious when seen
in action. Other examples include hitting, kicking, pushing, squeezing, and other such
attacks.

2. Verbal Abuse: Bullies use derogatory terms, statements, and verbal abuse to gain power
and control over their victims. This type of abuse often occurs in the absence of adults,
so it can be very difficult to detect. In addition, because there is no physical damage,
some adults may tell children to “go through it” or “ignore it.”
 3. Cyberbullying: It occurs when someone uses the internet to share hurtful comments,
embarrassment, intimidation, harassment or hurt the other person. The effects of
cyberbullying can be dangerous and deadly. Cyberbullying is associated with low self-
esteem, anger, frustration, and suicidal thoughts.

Psychological Aspect of Bullying

According to studies, many kids and teens have experienced "traditional" types of abuse in the
past. According to studies, 11% of students in grades 6 through 10 identified as "only victims,"
13% as "only bullies," and 6% as "bullies/victims." A recent study of 11 to 15-year-olds in 40
different nations found that 26% of teenagers were involved in bullying on some level, either as
victims, perpetrators, or both.

Research on traditional bullying has revealed that bullying may have complications related to
the victim's health, mental well-being, and academic performance. The young victims start to
dislike school, thus seeking to avoid school and claiming poor and limited grades. Therefore,
abused children may be at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Over 50% of college students and close to half of high school students who have participated in
clubs, teams, fraternities, sororities, or other organizations have experienced hazing at some
point.

Some Reasons Why People Bully

1. Power
Teens who want to be in control or to be strong are more likely to be aggressive. This
may be because they do not feel empowered in their lives, which makes access to
social media very attractive. Adults bully to gain a better career by demotivating them
due to the torments they face after having suffered bullying.

2. Popularity
Sometimes, bullying can be a reflection of a situation in a community. Famous
 children often make fun of infamous children for perpetuating related violence.
Thunderstorms can also cause children to spread rumors and gossip, engage in slut-
shaming activities, and isolate themselves.

3. Problems at Home
Young people from abusive homes are often abused because violence and
aggression are their role models. Bullying may also be more likely to affect
children whose parents are too lenient or absent. It provides them with a sense of
control and power that they don't currently have in their life. And self-confident
children may also tend to hide their low self-esteem.

The Effects of Bullying on Mental Health

Bullying may have a reputation among students but is not limited to school. It can take place
between society and grown-up adults as well. Children who are abused are more likely to
experience short and long-term social and emotional difficulties. Physical harm, psychological
issues, and in some instances, even death might result from it.

Adult Bullying is inherently toxic and insidious in all environments and any forms. Some
adults take advantage of other adults going through a rough time by impulsive adult bully.
Narcissistic Adult Bully is when bullying takes place to the extent that the needs of those
around are ignored.

Bullies are at greater risk of social ills, sometimes violent behaviour such as fighting and
vandalism. They may be addicted to drugs or alcohol. This can continue to grow.

In the short term, bullying can lead to:

• Anxiety

• Depression
• Low self-esteem

• Thoughts of self-injury or suicide

The effects of bullying do not stop when a child grows up. Studies show that teens who are
abused as teenagers are more likely to have mental health problems, however, adults who
have faced bullying can also undergo the same circumstances which include:

• Common Anxiety

• Depression

• Loneliness

Conclusion

As we can see, bullying is a very serious issue and should not be taken lightly. Victims or
perpetrators are constantly at risk of committing suicide. Therefore, it is important to address
bullying.

Some suggestions to prevent bullying are:

· College administrators have been ignoring bullying cases for decades, showing
negligence and even forcing students not to report bullies. The school has a great
responsibility when it comes to cases of harassment to take drastic action and respond
quickly.
· Ensuring mental health professionals and counsellors are available in all schools and
campuses. Children often do not receive the attention and support they need when
they are attacked. The presence of counsellors on campus is very important to
provide children with immediate emotional and psychological support to overcome
the trauma they are going through.
· Visiting physiatrists to discuss the mental harassment and depression faced by adults
and report to the nearest police station for quick action.
 · Preventing Cyberbullies: Make sure one knows that they should always report
cyberbullying. You may need to contact the school or the police to eliminate harassment.
Once all reports have been submitted, take appropriate steps to block the person or account
who is guilty of cyberbullying.

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to our PTS Professor, Dr. Anu Malik
for providing us with this opportunity to work as a team and learn about a very important topic
of psychology. Through this term paper, we got to do a lot of research on the topic "Torments of
bullying on one's mind and its mental development", and we came to know about many new
things like the psychological aspect of bullying in children and adults. Secondly, I would like to
thank all my teammates who contributed to the term paper and shared valuable information on
the topic. This term paper helped us in increasing our knowledge and skills. We would also like
to thank our parents who helped in proofreading the paper and gave valuable input about how to
present it in the best way.

References

1. Effects of Bullying on Mental Health | StopBullying.gov

2. The impact of bullying on mental health | McGovern Medical School (uth.edu)

3. Adult Bullying in the Society

4. School Violence: A Reference Handbook