Long-term impact of elementary school bullying victimization on adolescents

The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between bullying victimization that occurs during latency age and the victims, psychological health when they become adolescents. Specifically, level of victimization, depression, hostility, general anxiety, social anxiety, and self-esteem were assessed. One hundred and ninety-eight male and female adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 participated in this study. The results showed that adolescents who were bullied during elementary school had a higher level of victimization, hostility, general anxiety, social anxiety, and lower self-esteem than adolescents who were not bullied during elementary school. Results showed that males experienced a greater level of victimization than females. Males who were victims of bullying behavior in elementary school experienced a greater psychological impact as adolescents than males who were not victims during elementary school and females. Specifically, males who were victims experienced a higher level of hostility, social anxiety, and lower self-esteem. It was also found that females, whether they were bully victims in elementary school or not, experienced a higher level of two of the factors of social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation and social avoidance and distress. These findings indicate that bully victimization that occurs during latency age has a long-term impact on the victims, psychological health when they become adolescents. Furthermore, males who were victimized during latency age appear to experience a greater impact on their psychological health when they become adolescents.