Bullied Victims Six Times More Likely to Suffer from Serious Illness, Poor Social Relationships

Bullying experienced during childhood can leave painful scars that last long into adulthood, including some that may never heal. Yet for those exposed to heavy amounts of ridicule during their younger years, a new study shows that they may be more likely to suffer from serious illnesses, form poor social relationships and struggle to even hold down a job.

Researchers believe that the study's findings suggest a problem that's potentially linked to health, poverty and social relationships that can become heightened by exposure to bullying.

"We cannot continue to dismiss bullying as a harmless, almost inevitable, part of growing up," researcher Dieter Wolke of the University of Warwick said in a statement. "We need to change this mindset and acknowledge this as a serious problem for both the individual and the country as a whole; the effects are long-lasting and significant."

Researchers from the Duke University Medical Center looked at victims who had been bullied for data, encompassing 1,420 children. Participants were assessed four to six times between the ages of nine and 16 and then again between the ages of 24 and 26.

Results showed that bullied victims were indeed at greater risk for health problems in adulthood. In fact, researchers found that they could be six times more likely to develop a serious illness, have problems with substance abuse or have a psychiatric disorder compared to those who that lived a care-free life.

The study also revealed that victims might possibly become bullies in order to better emotionally cope with the problem.

However, researchers note that the act of bullying itself did not seem to have a negative impact on adulthood.

What was growing up like for you?

More information regarding the study can be found in the journal Psychological Science.