EDIT for my bullying piece
- claudia72851
- Mar 3
- 1 min read
In my last post, I wrote that the belief that being bullied makes us stronger is not always true. I would like to acknowledge that in some cases, people do feel that being bullied gave them motivation. Having said that, research shows that in the vast majority of cases of bullying, being bullied results in much more harm than good. In addition, I would argue that there are many and much more constructive strategies to spark and support motivation (eg love, support, coaching, mastery).
Research indicates that while some individuals report personal growth or increased resilience following bullying experiences, the majority suffer significant negative consequences. Studies have consistently shown that bullying is associated with long-term mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. For instance, a comprehensive review highlighted bullying as a major risk factor for poor physical and mental health, impacting victims’ ability to adapt to adult roles. Additionally, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network notes that bullying can severely affect a child’s self-image, social interactions, and school performance, potentially leading to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. While some narratives suggest that bullying can teach conflict resolution skills or serve as motivation, these perspectives are less common and not widely supported by empirical evidence. Therefore, although a minority may perceive some positive outcomes from being bullied, research overwhelmingly demonstrates that bullying inflicts more harm than good.
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