Girls More Likely to Remain Victims of Bullies

Study on Victimization of Bullying Shows Behavior Continues

Jan 12, 2009

The effects of bullying of the victims can last a lifetime, so adults should monitor for signs of physical and emotional abuse and intervene to protect children.

Victims of bullies may never understand the reasons for the tormenting behavior. Indeed bullying behavior often seems inexplicable, which may be why bullies get away with their poor behavior. Victims of bullies can carry the painful scars of the verbal, emotional and physical abuse for years, and maybe even a lifetime. A study has shown that girls are two and a half times more likely to remain victims of bullies than boys.

Girls More Likely to Remain Victims

Girls that are targeted by bullies at primary school are two and a half times more likely to remain victims than boys, according to research from the University of Warwick and University of Hertfordshire.

According to researchers, girls who were victims of direct bullying at six years old were significantly more likely to still be a victim at the age of ten. Direct bullying was defined as being beaten, suffering physical threats and verbal threats.

Direct Bullying Changes to Social Bullying

The study also revealed that the nature of bullying changes as children grow older. As children grow older they turn from direct victimization to relational victimization such as spreading of malicious gossip or the withdrawal of friendships leading to social exclusion.

The research team, led by the University of Warwick Professor of Developmental Psychology Dieter Wolke, interviewed 663 children aged 6-9 about their bullying experiences. They also examined the peer hierarchies amongst the children by asking them to nominate the three children they liked most in their class. A follow-up questionnaire was then issued when the children were aged 10-11.

Professor Wolke also examined data about 171 children who had dropped out of the study because they had changed schools. He found that 49% of the children who had changed schools were more likely to have been victims of relational bullying. The professor noted that these children had fewer friends.

Adults Should Monitor and Intervene

Professor Wolke said: "These findings indicate that even at an early age some victims of bullying remain victims over a long period of time. The development and implementation of intervention programs that help victims to escape further victimization in primary school are called for."

Adults should look for signs of bullying behavior in children. Although they may not want to intervene, they should protect the victims of the school bully or the effects of the psychological trauma can damage the child’s ability to form healthy relationships for many years.

Teachers, school professionals, parents and health practitioners should be aware and look for signs of physical and emotional health problems, as these appear to be important risk factors for becoming and remaining a victim of bullying.

The copyright of the article Girls More Likely to Remain Victims of Bullies in Bullying is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish Girls More Likely to Remain Victims of Bullies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.