The Association of Being Physically Abused and

Becoming a Bully

Julie BroyerPSY 492 XADr. Viventi

August 15, 2011

Abstract

This research is looking for the association of being physically abused and becoming a bully. Many studies have been done to see what children and adolescents do in their reasoning of bullying others. It has been known that children who bully has been bullied themselves in their life. Depression has also been linked to children who are becoming bullies. This research will help to get closer to the hypothesis of children who have been physically abused will become bullies. Further research is needed to find the truth of becoming a bully and being associated by being physically abused.

Key points of becoming a bully

Depression

Low self-esteem

Have been bullied before

Gaining popularity

Some Strengths from Literature Review

An article is looking at an overview on bullies, and demonstrates on producing a prevention program based on a teenager who had committed suicide over being bullied.Bullying doesn’t solely cause a person to commit suicide, but it does add stress to someone who is contemplating suicide (Waters, 2011).The article provides a great deal of information about all aspects on bullying, such as what marks a bully, how bullies think and feel, if bullies lack empathy, and what can be done about bullying.

Some Strengths from Literature Review

The objective of an article was seeing associations between traumatic childhood experiences and the presence of psychotic symptoms (Kelleher et al., 2008).Common disorders of bullies were depressive.The study showed that individuals had specialized training in performing interviews which made data more reliable by having professionals.The article contributed by providing more insight on a psychological level that affects bullies.

Weaknesses from Literature Review

The main focus of an article was seeing the link between parents’ responses in regards to school bullying (Waasdorp, Bradshaw, & Duong, 2011).The parents’ responses would dictate how a child would deal with the situation.Problem with article demonstrates that only one school district was used in the study.The study is not considered reliable with not having a large enough sample size.

Weaknesses from Literature Review

A study was done to see a student’s response to frequent bullying.Responses were shown what boys and girls made to their bullies whether the bullying was in direct or indirect forms (Waasdorp & Bradshaw, 2011).There is still a need for future work to determine successful strategies in response to bullying.

Discussion

The results of the given studies have suggested to us that the majority of research shows us the effects on victims from being bullied.Children who have been bullied in the past are more likely to bully later on.Bullies show levels of insecurities and depression, gaining popularity in school, and gaining power over others.Are there problems within the home?Is a child who is being physically abused using that experience in becoming a bully at school?

Preventing Bully Behavior

Intervention programs within schools and communities (develop training seminars for teachers, administrators, and parents on how to deal with bullying, and proper ways to intervene).Students could have access to: resiliency techniques, how to avoid bullying situations, self-defense classes, effective communication skills, and coping skills for both bullies and the victims.

Conclusion

Future research question: If a child has been physically abused, is there evidence to show that they developed psychological disorders which caused them to become bullies?Bullying has both short and long-term psychological effects on childrenThe main focus on the topic of bullying is based on victims of bullyingFuture research needs to focus on bullies by learning what’s going on with them that cause children to result in this type of behavior.

References

Juvonen, J., Graham, S., & Schuster, M.A. (2003). Bullying Among Young Adolescents: The Strong, the Weak, and the Troubled. American Academy of Pediatrics, 112(6), 1231-1237.

Kelleher, I. et al. (2008). Associations between childhood trauma, bullying, and psychotic symptoms among a school-based adolescent sample. The British Journal of Psychiatry 193, 378-382.

Melancon, C. & Gagne, M.H. (2010). Father’s and Mother’s Psychological Violence and Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(5), 991-1011.

Owens, A.M. (2004). Treat bullying like a disease, doctor says: [National Edition]. National Post. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from ProQuest database

Parker-Pope, T. (2011). Web of Popularity, Achieved by Bullying. The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from ProQuest database

References

Piotrowski, D. & Hoot, J. (2008). Bullying and Violence in Schools: What Teachers Should Know and Do. Childhood Education, 84(6), 357-363.

van der Wal, M.F., de wit, C.A.M., & Hirasing, R.A. (2003). Psychosocial Health Among Young Victims and Offenders of Direct and Indirect Bullying. American Academy of Pediatrics, 111(6), 1312-1317.

Waasdorp, T.E. & Bradshaw, C.P. (2011). Examing Student Responses to Frequent Bullying: A Latent Class Approach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(2), 336-352.

Waasdorp, T.E., Bradshaw, C.P., & Duong, J. (2011). The Link Between Parents’ Perceptions of the School and Their Responses to School Bullying: Variation by Child Characteristics and the Forms of Victimization. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(2), 324-335.

Waters, K. (2011). Teenage Bullies: Might Not Right. Phi Kappa Phi Forum. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from EBSCO database