Bullying: Effects On Social Anxiety And Self Esteem

Bullying Effects On societal Anxiety And Self EsteemThe ease up pick up documented measures of accessible fretting and ego-importance-importance think of in youthfuls and sought to run into its association with dimensions of blusterous in victims. Social dread entails feelings of gimmick in social situations, go blustering(a) involves recurrent and intentional acts like teasing to injure another and has been suggested in the occurrence of social anxiety. Self valuate refers to the general view of oneself and proposed as a link with blustering(a). An independent variable of this study is bullying while dependent variables ar social anxiety and self assess. Two hypotheses were yielded (a) higher rates of bullying in victims were united with social anxiety and (b) there is a relationship between bullying and self esteem. Eriksons developmental theory of Identity versus Role Confusion supported hypotheses of why bullying increased social anxiety and scorned self este em in adolescent victims. Adolescents between ages of 12 and 20 completed self-report questionnaires on bullying, social anxiety and self esteem. Results proposed individuamyotrophic lateral sclerosis who identified themselves as bullied victims had higher degrees of social anxiety and lower self esteem.Keywords social anxiety, self esteem, adolescents, bullying, victims, erikson, developmental, identity, role confusionChapter One IntroductionBefore measuring the association between bullying, social anxiety and self esteem, it is crucial to be equipped with an soul of the variables.BullyingWith the intention of conducting investigations on bullying, researchers have to first determine what exactly is bullying As denoted by Marini, Spear and Bombay (1999), bullying is the utilisation of physical and emotional warp of deliberate harm towards a person, thereby producing a destructive environment instilling anxiety, threat and apprehension in an individual.Adding onto Marini et al.s (1999) definition, researchers who set ahead assessed bullying indicated two different types namely direct and indirect. Direct bullying is portrayed as perpetual, existing as bodily assaults like kicking and hitting, while indirect bullying consists of behaviours such(prenominal) as teasing and intentional exclusion of an adolescent (Fitzpatrick et al., 2007 Haddow, 2006 Hampel, Manhold, Hayer, 2009 Nansel et al., 2001 Omizo et al., 2006 Raskauskas Stoltz, 2007).Social AnxietyAn underlying characteristic of social anxiety is a phobia of social settings and interpersonal communication yielding self awareness and disallow beliefs of oneself. Individuals wretched from social anxiety typically dread negative appraisal by people (DSM-IV-TR Ameri lowlife Psychiatric Association, 2000). Based on Slee (1994), social anxiety has been unveil to impact negatively on peer involvement, thereafter contri furthere to peer refusal.Self-EsteemSchaffer (1996) postulates self esteem as an asse ssment of an individual and the extent to which one perceives himself or herself as either optimistic or undesirable. Cooley (1902) proposed an understanding of oneself is shaped in accordance with peoples behaviour towards the self. Those who obtained positive views from others like a compliment would have increased self esteem.Onset of BullyingBullying has evolved into a universal issue in adolescence. Several public findings by Cho, Hendrickson, Mock (2009) recognized bullying as multifaceted, producing a series of adverse societal, mental and educational effects on adolescents. A justification for the rise of bullying occurrences in adolescence could be because of numerous progressive changes happening in this stage. Such changes include emotional ones like escalation in anxiety (Green, 2007 Nansel et al., 2001 Pergolizzi et al., 2007).Bulach, Fulbright and Williams (2003) theorized the manner in which bullying contributed signifi tail endtly to the development of school viol ence. This was evidenced by an incident in 1998 Georgia, where an adolescent succumbed to finis due to school bullying. The misfortune evoked awareness in the country where regulations on bullying were authorized. Hence, it is no wonder bullying is acknowledged as a prominent kind of violence in schools (Bulach et al., 2003 Olweus, 2003 Siris Osterman, 2004 Vossekuil, Fein, Reddy, Borum, Modzeleski, 2002).The following describes the influence of bullying on victims by highlighting the prevalence rates, thereafter introducing traits of victims and how these are linked with social anxiety and self esteem.Prevalence of BullyingBullying is highly prevalent among adolescents and differs among cultures. It results in detrimental consequences and persists as a stumbling block in schools, where adolescents contest to handle suffering from bullying. National studies directed by Nansel et al (2001) demonstrated an approximate of 2,027,254 adolescents identified themselves as victims of t emperate bullying while 1,681,030 youths engaged in repeated bullying.Reviews have generated an increasing interest on bullying in the 21st century (Rigby 2003 Arseneault et al. 2009), with adolescents of United States of America (USA) generating the highest distress from either forms of bullying. This is evident in a study, where an estimated 10% claimed to be bullies or victims at least once a month (Omizo, Omizi, Baxa, Miyse, 2006).A study by Olweus and Limber (1999) stated round 1.6 million of college adolescents in (USA) constituted bullied victims. Additionally, Nansel et al. (2001) uncovered 30% of them were linked with bullying, existing as a bully, victim or both. A separate statement by the U.S. Department of Education revealed 77% of adolescents whom were assessed were victims throughout their entire education (Garbarino et al., 2003). With bullying occurrences on the rise, researchers have thus commenced detailed examinations to get ahead evaluate such occurrences in adolescence (Espelage Asidao, 2003).Since such elevated incidences of bullying are a cause for concern, it is vital to be mindful of different types of aggression and that bullying is just a particular kind. Despite majority of studies on issues of adolescent bullying for bullies and victims, only those pertaining to victims and the relation to social anxiety would be investigated.Attributes of VictimsThis group of adolescents are known as receivers of violence inflicted by their aggressors. Victims are more than likely to appear timid, withdrawn and lack motor synchronization. Besides being known to have minute body sizes and regarded as undesirable by their peers (Bernstein and Watson, 1997), they have nervous disposition characterized by an intense worry of negative appraisal from people, (Bernstein Watson, 1997 Haynie et al., 2001), a trait of social anxiety. In addition, these victims showing avoidance in social settings as a result of being bullied (Fitzpatrick, Dulin Pi ko, 2010 Ivarsson, Broberg, Arvidsson, Gillberg, 2005 Hampel et al., 2009).Olweus (1973, 1978) recognized victims exist in two groups submissive and highly aggressive or provocative victims. The submissive ones are portrayed as vulnerable and do not incite bullies to further violence. Instead, they behave in ways that intensify the act. As submissive victims do not protect themselves, they are deemed weak, thus undergoing peer refusal, an aspect of social anxiety. On the contrary, provocative victims exhibit restlessness and seem more irritable. They are likely to retaliate during assaults. Though all victims are highly susceptible of appraisal especially negative ones, submissive victims are more bear on by such criticism and reproach themselves repeatedly. Highly aggressive victims portray nervous tendencies and difficulties focusing on tasks at hand, experiencing greater disregard compared to submissive victims.Victims and Social AnxietyThough anxiety is manifested in several forms, social anxiety is most palpable in bullied victims and acknowledged as a persistent distemper (Watson and Friend, 1969 as mentioned in Slee, 1994).Adolescents who suffered from childhood bullying may be at greater exposure to being bullied in school (Chapell et., 2004). Despite beliefs on bullying as uncommon in schools, a study has disputed such claims, indicating bullying rates as frequent across some colleges (Chapell et al.). A study was held on 1,025 university students where 60% claimed to have witnessed bullying and around 44% noticed a lecturer victimizing a student (Chappel et al.). This finding led Chapell and his team (2006) to further investigations, where a clear link regarding bullying occurrences in infancy, adolescence or both stages and chances of becoming victims in school was established. Their results are of considerable importance as it can assist some medical practitioners in treatment effects as they manage patients who might be bullied victims before. Social anxiety results in public abomination and restraint in affected individuals, reducing peer involvement due to a self belief of being undesirable by people (Ginsburg et al., 1998), therefore affecting peer communication which prolongs bullying and decreases their self esteem. This understanding was further developed as Crick and Bigbee (1998) noted adverse peer communication can affect ones self assessment, thus accounting for insufficient self esteem and exacerbates social anxiety.Investigators uncovered not all victims of bullying manifest social anxiety in adulthood (Hawker Boulton, 2000 Jantzer, Hoover, Narloch, 2006 Newman, Holden, Delville, 2005 Olweus, 1993 Schafer et al., 2004). However, regardless of their studies that bullying might suggest psychosocial issues during adolescence, there is still inadequate interest in the understanding of why only current adolescents may give birth such issues.Reviews (Chapell et al., 2004 Chapell et al., 2006) indicated adolesc ents who recalled being victims of bullying were at heightened possibilities of social anxiety in tell apart with those who had no recollection. Such experiences pose worry oddly since bullying throughout adolescence has unwraped a significant connection with higher emotional and interpersonal difficulties (Dempsey Storch, 2008 Hawker Boulton, 2000 Jantzer, Hoover, Narloch, 2006 Newman, Holden, Delville, 2005 Olweus, 1993 Schafer et al., 2004 Tritt Duncan, 1997). Further analyses on previous bullying occurrences in males who were hebdomadal sufferers discovered that they regarded anxious tendencies as a result of being bullied (Gladstone, Parker, Malhi, 2006). Similarly, the ability to recall past episodes of attacks was known to influence its start, with adolescents who recollected their situation recording a hastened experience of anxiety conditions and greater unease in social settings as compared to those who failed to remember their traumatic experience (McCabe, Mille r, Laugesen, Antony, Young, 2010).An analogous study revealed adolescents who were victims before displayed more negative science of the public than non-bullied adolescents. This perception is an example noted in anxiety disorders (Hawker Boulton, 2003). Furthermore, bullying accounts have specified adolescents who were once victims had more inclination to display characteristics of social anxiety like phobia of negative appraisal from others and social avoidance (Dempsey Storch, 2008).In comparison with non-bullied adolescents, victims are known to experience elevated psychological and emotional suffering due to bullying episodes they faced in school. Research has suggested this intense distress would persist even in adulthood (Fekkes, Pijpers, Verloove-Vanhorick, 2003 Hampel et al., 2009 Solberg Olweus, 2003). Estvez, Murgui, and Musitu (2009) piloted a finding on psychological changes with regards to social anxiety and self esteem in 1,319 adolescents. It was revealed bulli ed victims manifested higher social anxiety and greater discontentment with life compared to bullies and those non-bullied. This was reinforced in bullied. This was reinforced in Fitpatrick et al.s (2010) review where low self esteem and high degrees of social anxiety were evident due to bullying occurrences.Graham and Bellmore (2007) formed a profile public opinion poll for bullying by grouping it ground on bullies, victims, bully-victims and those non-bullied. They discovered significant disparities of psychological changes in victims, bullies and non-bullied adolescents, where victims garnered the most scores for anxiety and least in self esteem. In contrast, bullies yielded the lowest degree of social anxiety and were extremely high on self esteem scores.Based on cross sectional information, a study on 226 adolescents with past occurrences of being bullies and victims was operated (Gladstone et al., 2006). Gladstone and his team focused on victims and their likelihood of displ aying anxious tendencies in adulthood. Self reported measures were used to determine anxiety. Results depicted bullied victims had greater levels of social anxiety and suffer from insufficient self esteem. Furthermore, social anxiety was still constant in a notable dowery of victims, expanding current findings on the relationship between bullied victims and adverse effects they experience.Additional research on bullying was conducted by Menensi et al. (2009) which concentrated specifically on psychological influences of bullying on victims. This assessment indicated bullies engaged in threatening behaviours like violence while victims suffered from worrying symptoms including social anxiety. In Esbensen and Carsons (2009) four year analysis, based on the belief that bullying happens continuously which causes major psychological issues like social anxiety, a set of questions were devised to establish the outcome of bullied victims and bullies. An apparent disparity in bullying frequ ency was uncovered. A meagre 28% indicated themselves as victims in yes and no questions whereas 82% admitted they were victims on questions inquiring personal development and behaviour. Victims faced with bullying on a constant basis also experienced increased social anxiety, higher possibilities of being harmed at school and a severe charge of being bullied, which was supportive of Menensi et al.s (2009) study.Bullying and Self-EsteemThe effects of bullying are well documented in countless reviews, from lingering health issues to emotional distress and diminished self esteem. Self esteem is constituted by a series of beliefs an individual has (Berk, 2009).The relationship of bullied victims and low levels of self esteem is clear. This is apparent in Houbre et al.s (2006) report which implied a lack of self worth in victims who were seemingly displeased with their physical appearance. This negative self evaluation may cause victims to set apart themselves from the public, and thi s could result in mental health issues. Hence, it is significant to identify the connection between bullying and how it leads to low self esteem in victims.According to Hodges and Perry (1999), bullying serves as factors of self esteem and social anxiety. A co-relational study on 8,249 Irish adolescents indicated links between rates of bullying and esteem, where bullies garnered least self esteem and anxiety (OMoore Kirkham, 2001). A separate study directed by Rigby and Slee (1999) on bullying in adolescence revealed 48.8% of males and 62.5% of females who lacked self esteem suffered more negativity following an assault. As a result, they have lesser peer involvement and suffer from refusal, triggering weakened self esteem and isolation from social settings, a core aspect of social anxiety. Thus, as predicted, it appears that self esteem contributes notably to the domains of bullying as well as social anxiety.In a subsequent finding, Houbre, Tarquinio and Lanfranchi (2010) question ed if low self esteem was a determinant and outcome of bullying. Their study supported the idea of self esteem as a predictor of bullying based on results depicting pessimistic beliefs as the strongest indication of the act. In addition, further examination by them on repetitive bullying and self esteem described the extent to which both were connected the lower the self esteem, the higher the occurrence of the attack. Apparently, bullying can reduce a victims self esteem. Despite victims possessing a likelihood of being bullied, such attacks decrease their self esteem and also exacerbate feelings of anxiety as they accept their aggressors beliefs. Thus, these findings imply that self esteem can exist as a cause of bullying and can also be influenced by it.Ample evidence regarding self esteem in bullying occurrences has been displayed before (Andreou, 2000 Callaghan Joseph, 1995 Ross, 1996). Boulton and Underwoods (1992) study unveiled a whopping 80% of adolescents claimed to expe rience more happiness and confidence in life before episodes of bullying commenced. This is further evidenced in Bosworth et als (1999) analysis on 558 students of a certain academic level, where low degrees of self esteem and higher bullying rates were linked. Moreover, victims of bullying were recognized to have lower self esteem in comparison with bullies and those not implicated (Andreou, 2000 Bolton Underwood, 1992). Hence, self esteem served as an originator and a result of bullying (Graham and Juvonen, 1998). In a precise finding by Graham and Juvonen (1998), it was noted that adolescents who perceived themselves as victims came across several social issues like low self esteem. This is in contrast with adolescents, who were identified as bullied victims by their peers, suffering from peer issues like refusal.Nansel et al.s (2001) research relating to self esteem and the capability to befriend others produced an unfavourable relationship with school bullying, but was surpris ingly positively correlated with victimizing people. This is reasoned by Borgs (1998) study which stated male victims were extremely resentful and female victims were mainly unhappy. As feelings of resentment and gloominess result in distress which affects victims self esteem, they may also be placed at heightened risks of being bullied (Hazler, 2000).In different reviews, the extent of bullying is considered an influence of an adolescents mental well being. This seems to imply anxious tendencies of an adolescent are likely to stem from bullying. This notion was supported by an examination on bullying as a correlation of decreased self esteem and elevated intensities of anxiety (Mynard, Joseph and Alexander, 2000). An exact finding by Mynard et al. (2000) purported oral bullying as a negative link with self esteem and that adverse outcomes of bullying may vary based on the extent of aggression applied.As a majority of adolescents are predisposed to intimidation by bullies, one poss ible reason for those who are more confident and less anxious would be their low acceptance of assaults by bullies as they attempt to protect themselves against harm, instead of the victims who fail to retaliate (Egan Perry, 1998). This explanation hence clarifies why only some adolescents who lack self regard and display social anxiety depict a phase of bullying.Several findings specified self esteem as a significant link to bullying and social anxiety, proposing that bullying incidents cause unfavourable effects on an individuals self esteem, thus justifying the high degrees of social anxiety according to them (Bernstein Watson, 1997 Fosse Holen, 2002 Kumpulainen, Rasanen and Henttonen, 1999 Kumpulainen Rasanen, 2000 Mahady-Wilton, Craig, Pepler, 2000 Marini, Spear Bombay, 1999 Nansel, Overpeck, Pilla, Ruan, Simons Morton, Scheidt, 2001 Perry, Kusal Perry, 1988 Rigby, 2000 Roecker Phelps, 2001).