Literature review on bullying and child well-being

Bully Abstract

Empirical Evidence for the Link Between Bullying and Overall Child Well-Being: A Literature Review

Bullying, a term that is generally broadly defined as ill-treatment through verbal insults, physical aggression, or psychological torments such as leaving an individual out of a group on purpose or spreading rumors about that person, is known to have adverse effects on short-term psychological and emotional well-being (Bowes et al. 2010; Due et al. 2009; Correia et al. 2009). The long-term effects on well-being of victims and bullies from bullying behavior, however, have been a far less frequent target of investigation in an in-depth and empirical manner (Due et al. 2009). Certain factors contributing to increased well-being despite bullying experiences have also been identified in the literature, including certain aspects of internal belief systems and external perceptions as well as fundamental support offered by family and other social relationships (Bowes et al. 2010; Correia et al. 2009). This literature review will examine and assess current research in the area of bullying and its effects on short- and long-term well-being of both victims and bullies, with mitigating and defensive factors considered as well. Initial reviews will include a definition of bullying and an assessment of the prevalence of bullying victimization or witnessing bullying acts (Due et al. 2009; Correia et al. 2009). Identified methods of intervening and factors of mitigating the effects of bullying will also be examined, with long-term prognoses for these mitigations and for the effects of bullying in general reviewed (Bowes et al. 2010). Through a comprehensive review of available literature on the subject, recommendations for future research and possibly for addressing bullying situations in institutions and regions where such behaviors are especially prevalent and/or egregious can be made, and the knowledge base in this field clarified and advanced.