Bullying is a form of violence against others based on aggressive, intentional and repeated behaviors . It can happen when there is an imbalance of power between the victim and the aggressor, which places the last one in more fragile situation. The bullying purpose is to make the victim suffer. In most cases, bullying happens during school age and in school context. It is represented by different types of violence : Physical , for example hitting, pushing, spitting, among others; Verbal , for example insulting, threatening, among others; Relational , for example excluding someone from a group, spreading rumors, among others; Sexual , for example unwanted touching, offensive sexual comments; Homophobic and transphobic , who discriminates based on prejudice related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, revealing or threatens to reveal personal information about the victim's sexuality, denigrates their image and makes offensive comments. Cyberbullying is a new form of bullying that refers to aggression/intimidation using electronic and internet communication . It involves publishing photos and video on social networks and chats or sending any type of electronic messages with the aim of harassing, threatening or damaging someone image. The Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima states that the impact of bullying on victims is variable, being aggravated or mitigated by a set of characteristics related to: The violence committed; The victim particularities; The victim support network. Symptoms and consequences of bullying Bullying can have visible consequences and give rise to different symptoms , such as: Physical injuries; Damage to personal objects and materials; Psychosomatic symptoms, such as headache, stomach ache, dizziness, among others; Sleep problems; Changes in eating behavior; Changes in mood and behavior; Psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and school phobia; Social isolation; Difficulties in establishing relationships with others; Continuity of future experience as a victim or as an aggressor; Self-inflicted violence, such as self-harm behaviors, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Not all children or young people who are victims of bullying present the symptoms mentioned above. There are also asymptomatic situations . On the other hand, symptoms can appear at a later stage and have consequences in adult life, that is, on social relationships and ability to manage conflicts. Rely on adults Strong relationships of trust between children/young people and adults are essential for help to be requested . It is very important that victims of bullying report what is happening to a trusted adults so that they can be protected. Revealing bullying situations is an act of courage; It helps the victim and other children who may be in the same situation; Therefore, silence on these issues is not a solution. Helping victims, but also aggressors In bullying situations, the focus is on the victim and the impact that the attacks have on their life. However, those who attack also need help . Violence is a way young people find to alleviate the pain of personal problems. They express themselves through their hostility towards others. Approaching the problem only in a punitive way, without considering the causes that led to the behavior is, therefore, an incorrect way of dealing with those who bully. Advice for parents It is distressing to know or suspect that a child is being bullied. These situations must be managed sensitively to minimize the negative impact they may have . In these cases it is recommended: Talk about the subject with the victim; Listen carefully and calmly to what the victim has to say, respecting their time to say; Emotionally support the child/adolescent; Do not encourage aggressive behavior to respond as violence is not the solution; Instruct the child/adolescent to act with indifference towards the aggressor, assuming an attitude of confidence and assertiveness; Advise the child/adolescent to only go to places with a lot of people and always be accompanied; Schedule a meeting with the director/responsible for the class or the school psychologist and report the problem; Seek help from a psychologist or other mental health professional to ensure that the victim is properly monitored so that will not develop or worsen any type of anxiety, trauma, or other psychological disorder. Psychology can help both victims and aggressors. Violence has a set of consequences for the physical and mental health of children and young people that can manifest throughout their lives, making them more vulnerable to psychological disorders. That is why the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses wants to raise awareness of the importance of developing mental health programs with prevention strategies, increasing awareness of these phenomena and encouragement of zero tolerance. Some data According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): One in three students around the world has been a victim of bullying , with devastating consequences for their academic performance, physical and mental health. According to the WHO (World Health Organization): Around 800,000 people commit suicide each year. Suicide is the second biggest cause of death among young people aged 15-29 and bullying may be related. In Portugal: In the 2021-2022 school year, the police services recorded 2,847 criminal incidents of bullying in school contexts, 1,169 of which were assaults and 752 were injuries and threats. Around 31%-40% of Portuguese teenagers, aged between 11-15 years, confirm that they have been bullied at school once in at least two months. In 2023, this value was 37%. Author : Joana Morgado The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
