Bullying is a widespread issue that affects individuals across the lifespan, with research showing that 34.0% of teenagers ages 12–17 were bullied in the past 12 months according to recent CDC data from 2021–2023. This intentional, repeated aggressive behavior creates a power imbalance between perpetrator and victim, leading to significant psychological, physical, and social consequences. While bullying has traditionally been associated with children and adolescents in school settings, it also occurs in workplaces and through digital platforms, affecting adults and creating lasting impacts on mental health and well-being.
Understanding the various forms of bullying—from physical aggression to cyberbullying—along with recognizing warning signs and implementing evidence-based interventions, is crucial for parents, educators, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking support. This comprehensive guide examines current research on bullying prevalence, risk factors, mental health impacts, and effective therapeutic approaches to help those affected by bullying heal and thrive.
Table of Contents
- What Is Bullying?
- Types and Forms of Bullying
- Prevalence and Demographics
- Effects of Bullying on Mental Health
- Why Do People Bully?
- Cyberbullying in the Digital Age
- Workplace Bullying
- Warning Signs and Recognition
- Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
- How Therapy Can Help
- Prevention Strategies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Find Support
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners. It involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. This behavior may inflict harm or distress on the victim including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm.
The key elements that distinguish bullying from other forms of conflict include:
- Intent to harm: The behavior is deliberate and meant to cause distress
- Repetition: The aggressive acts occur repeatedly over time
- Power imbalance: The perpetrator has more physical, social, or psychological power than the victim
Types and Forms of Bullying
Traditional Bullying
Common types of bullying include: Physical such as hitting, kicking, and tripping; Verbal including name-calling and teasing; Relational or social such as spreading rumors and leaving out of the group.
Cyberbullying
Bullying can also occur through technology, called electronic bullying or cyberbullying. This modern form of harassment involves using digital devices and platforms to target others through:
- Harassing or threatening messages
- Sharing private information or photos publicly
- Online exclusion from group activities
- Impersonation or "masquerading" to spread false information
Workplace Bullying
In professional settings, bullying manifests through:
- Task-related harassment (unreasonable deadlines, meaningless assignments, excessive monitoring)
- Person-related abuse (gossiping, verbal hostility, persistent criticism, social exclusion)
- Sexual harassment and attempts to extract favors
- Exclusion from meetings and professional opportunities
Prevalence and Demographics
Youth Bullying Statistics
Recent data reveals concerning trends in bullying prevalence:
- About one in five high school students reported being bullied on school property in the past year
- More than one in six high school students reported being bullied electronically in the past year
High-Risk Groups
Certain populations face disproportionately higher rates of bullying:
- Sexual and gender minority teenagers were more likely to be bullied (47.1%) than teenagers who are not a sexual or gender minority (30.0%)
- Teenagers with developmental disabilities (44.4%) were more likely to be bullied than teenagers without a developmental disability (31.3%)
- Female students were more likely than male students to experience bullying, both on school property and electronically
- White teenagers ages 12–17 were more likely to be bullied in the past 12 months (39.6%) compared with Asian (16.1%), Black (23.8%), and Hispanic (26.7%) teenagers
School-Based Prevalence
A national survey found that 28% of middle schools, 15% of high schools, and 10% of elementary schools reported the occurrence of bullying at school at least once a week. Additionally, about 37% of middle schools reported the occurrence of cyberbullying at least once a week, followed by 25% of high schools and 6% of elementary schools.
Workplace Bullying
Research indicates that evidence on workplace bullying and harassment (WBH) in the UK has not used probability-sample surveys with robust mental health assessment, suggesting a need for more comprehensive data. However, workplace bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse are strongly associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, sleep disruption, cardiovascular problems, absenteeism, and turnover.
Effects of Bullying on Mental Health
Immediate Psychological Impact
Victims of bullying frequently experience:
- Depression and anxiety: Bullying victimization is associated with heightened rates of anxiety and depression among autistic and ADHD youth
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Fear and avoidance: Fear of revisiting locations where bullying occurred
- Academic impact: Reduced academic performance and school avoidance
Long-Term Mental Health Consequences
Adult health outcomes of childhood bullying victimization: Evidence from a five-decade longitudinal British birth cohort shows that childhood bullying can have effects lasting decades into adulthood. These may include:
- Increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders
- Higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts
- Substance use disorders
- Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
- Reduced quality of life and life satisfaction
Physical Health Impacts
Beyond psychological effects, bullying is associated with:
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Headaches and psychosomatic complaints
- Appetite changes and eating disorders
- Cardiovascular problems in cases of chronic workplace bullying
Impact on Perpetrators
Anti-bullying programs effectively reduce bullying perpetration outcomes by about 18%, highlighting that those who bully also need intervention. Children who bully are more likely to:
- Misuse drugs or alcohol
- Drop out of school
- Receive criminal convictions as adults
- Engage in abusive behavior in relationships
Why Do People Bully?
Understanding the motivations behind bullying behavior is crucial for developing effective interventions. Research identifies several key factors:
Individual Factors
- Power and control issues: Using dominance to feel superior
- Insecurity and low self-esteem: Masking personal inadequacies
- Lack of empathy: Difficulty understanding others' feelings
- Cognitive distortions: Misinterpreting social situations
Family and Environmental Factors
- Family dynamics: Children from homes with domestic violence, neglect, or overly harsh parenting
- Modeling behavior: Learning aggression from family members
- Attention-seeking: Using negative behavior to gain notice
- Poor social skills: Difficulty with appropriate peer interaction
Cultural and Societal Influences
- Competitive environments: Cultures promoting domination over cooperation
- Peer pressure: Group dynamics encouraging aggressive behavior
- Media influences: Exposure to violence and aggressive role models
- Lack of consequences: Environments where bullying goes unchecked
Cyberbullying in the Digital Age
Unique Characteristics
Cyberbullying presents distinct challenges:
- 24/7 exposure: Victims cannot escape by leaving school or work
- Wider audience: Harmful content can be shared broadly and quickly
- Permanence: Digital content can resurface repeatedly
- Anonymity: Perpetrators can hide behind fake profiles
Mental Health Impact
A 2025 study revealed that 53.9% of teens had been cyberbullied in the past month, with even subtle acts like online exclusion capable of triggering trauma similar to PTSD. The psychological effects of cyberbullying often overlap with traditional bullying but can be intensified by the public and persistent nature of online harassment.
Prevention and Response
Effective cyberbullying prevention includes:
- Digital literacy education
- Privacy settings and online safety practices
- Clear reporting mechanisms on platforms
- Parental monitoring balanced with trust
- School policies addressing online behavior
Workplace Bullying
Manifestations in Professional Settings
Workplace bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse are strongly associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, sleep disruption, cardiovascular problems, absenteeism, and turnover. Diminished psychological safety and toxic or abusive leadership styles intensify psychological harm.
Common forms include:
- Task-related bullying: Impossible deadlines, meaningless work, micromanagement
- Personal attacks: Rumors, isolation, public humiliation
- Professional sabotage: Withholding information, taking credit, undermining
- Discriminatory harassment: Based on protected characteristics
Organizational Impact
Workplace bullying affects not only individuals but entire organizations through:
- Reduced productivity and morale
- Increased turnover and recruitment costs
- Higher absenteeism and sick leave
- Legal liability and reputation damage
- Toxic work culture
Creating Psychological Safety
A strong psychosocial safety climate, combined with trauma-informed approaches, mitigates re-traumatization, restores trust, and supports recovery. The most effective organizational response is multi-level, integrating policy, leadership accountability, safety climate, and targeted supports.
Warning Signs and Recognition
In Children and Adolescents
Not all children who are bullied show warning signs, but StopBullying.gov suggests being aware of these common signs: Unexplained injuries. Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry. Frequent headaches or stomachaches, feeling sick, or faking illness. Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares. Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school.
Additional warning signs include:
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Changes in eating habits
- Avoiding specific situations or locations
- Self-destructive behaviors
- Loss of friends or social status
In Adults
Workplace bullying victims may exhibit:
- Increased anxiety before work
- Physical symptoms (headaches, digestive issues)
- Decreased work performance
- Reluctance to participate in meetings
- Requesting transfers or considering resignation
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
According to guidelines developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2020) and by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP; Andrews et al., 2018), CBT is considered first-line treatment for a vast array of psychological disorders, including suicide ideation and intent (Hua et al., 2022), all types of anxiety, depressive presentations, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and behavioral issues, all of which are common outcomes of bullying victimization (Moore et al., 2017; Idsoe et al., 2021; Ferraz de Camargo et al., 2022). CBT has long been regarded as an effective therapy for managing the influence of unhelpful thoughts on emotional distress and physiological responses in relation to a given situation through increasing psychological flexibility and combating avoidance behavior.
CBT for bullying victims typically includes:
- Cognitive restructuring: Challenging negative thoughts about self and others
- Behavioral activation: Re-engaging with avoided activities
- Exposure therapy: Gradually facing feared situations
- Skills training: Assertiveness, problem-solving, and social skills
Trauma-Focused Approaches
This therapy has been shown to lessen the effects of bullying on students. Adolescents receive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for 15 sessions. Psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, affect management, cognitive triangle instruction, working with the trauma story, coping with dysfunctional thoughts, and the parenting component are among the therapies delivered.
Group Interventions
Cognitive behavioral group counseling programs can reduce bullying behaviors and improve empathy skills in adolescents. Group therapy offers:
- Peer support and validation
- Opportunity to practice social skills
- Reduced isolation and stigma
- Shared coping strategies
Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Research shows that mindfulness approaches can help victims:
- Reduce rumination and negative thinking
- Improve emotional regulation
- Decrease stress and anxiety
- Increase self-compassion
How Therapy Can Help
Individual Therapy Benefits
Working with a qualified therapist can help bullying victims:
- Process traumatic experiences in a safe environment
- Rebuild self-esteem and confidence
- Develop coping strategies for managing triggers
- Improve relationships and trust in others
- Address co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety
Therapeutic Approaches
Effective therapeutic modalities include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addressing negative thought patterns
- Trauma-Focused CBT: Processing bullying-related trauma
- EMDR: Reprocessing traumatic memories
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Building psychological flexibility
- Interpersonal Therapy: Improving relationship skills
Family Therapy
When bullying affects children, family therapy can:
- Help parents support their child effectively
- Improve family communication
- Address any family dynamics contributing to vulnerability
- Strengthen the family support system
Prevention Strategies
School-Based Prevention
Evaluating the effectiveness of school-bullying prevention programs: an updated meta-analytical review shows that comprehensive school programs can reduce bullying. Effective components include:
- Whole-school approaches involving all stakeholders
- Clear anti-bullying policies with consistent enforcement
- Social-emotional learning curricula
- Peer support programs and mentoring
- Teacher training on recognition and intervention
Workplace Prevention
Organizations can prevent workplace bullying through:
- Zero-tolerance policies clearly communicated
- Leadership training on psychological safety
- Anonymous reporting systems
- Regular climate surveys
- Swift, fair investigation procedures
Community-Level Prevention
Broader prevention efforts include:
- Public awareness campaigns
- Parent education programs
- Community partnerships
- Media literacy initiatives
- Policy advocacy
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child is being bullied?
First, listen to your child without judgment and document incidents. Contact your child's school to report the bullying and work collaboratively on a response plan. Consider counseling to help your child process their experiences and develop coping skills. Avoid confronting the other child's parents directly, as this can escalate the situation.
Is cyberbullying as harmful as in-person bullying?
Yes, research shows cyberbullying can be equally or more harmful than traditional bullying. Studies reveal that even subtle acts like online exclusion can trigger trauma similar to PTSD. The 24/7 nature and public aspect of cyberbullying can intensify its psychological impact.
Can adults experience bullying?
Absolutely. Workplace bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse are strongly associated with anxiety, depression, PTSD, burnout, sleep disruption, cardiovascular problems, absenteeism, and turnover. Adult bullying often occurs in workplace settings but can also happen in community groups, online spaces, and social settings.
How effective is therapy for bullying victims?
Research demonstrates that therapy, particularly CBT, is highly effective for addressing bullying's psychological impacts. All of the studies found that the intervention significantly reduced the effects of bullying on victims (p<0.05). Treatment can help with anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and rebuilding self-esteem.
What's the difference between bullying and normal conflict?
Bullying involves repeated aggressive behavior with a power imbalance and intent to harm. Normal conflict typically involves peers of equal power having occasional disagreements that they can resolve. Bullying is one-sided, persistent, and the victim has difficulty defending themselves.
Should I encourage my child to fight back against bullies?
Physical retaliation is not recommended as it can escalate violence and lead to injury or disciplinary action. Instead, teach assertiveness skills, encourage reporting to trusted adults, and focus on building your child's confidence and support network. Professional guidance can help develop appropriate response strategies.
How Therapy Can Help / Find a Therapist
If you or someone you care about is experiencing the effects of bullying, professional support can make a significant difference. A compassionate, experienced therapist can provide a safe space to process these experiences and develop effective coping strategies.
Therapy offers evidence-based approaches to address:
- Trauma and PTSD symptoms
- Depression and anxiety
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- Relationship difficulties
- Academic or work-related challenges
At GoodTherapy, we connect individuals with qualified mental health professionals who understand the complex impacts of bullying. Our therapists use proven approaches like CBT, trauma-focused therapy, and other evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Take the first step toward healing. Search our directory to find a therapist near you who specializes in bullying-related issues. You deserve support, and recovery is possible.
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