April 28, 2015

expert reaction to bullying, maltreatment and mental health

The effect on mental health in later life of bullying and maltreatment in childhood has been examined by a team of researchers publishing in The Lancet Psychiatry. They report that bullying by one’s peers in childhood has a greater negative impact on mental health than maltreatment, leading to higher levels of outcomes such as anxiety, depression and self-harm.

Dr Jennifer Wild, Associate Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, said:

“The investigators measured rates of maltreatment and bullying in two groups of children in the UK and US at regular time points. When the children were 18 years old, they assessed them for mental health problems. In the UK group, maltreatment led to depression.  In the US group, maltreatment did not lead to any mental health problem.

“But bullying led to mental health problems for children in both groups in the UK and USA.

“The findings are important because they highlight the devastating consequences of bullying and the need for zero tolerance programmes.

“But the investigators did not assess causal factors that could explain the link between bullying and mental health problems. It is possible that bullying influences the development of mental health problems but that another factor, such as childhood speech and language problems, is the cause of bullying and later difficulties.”

‘Adult mental health consequences of peer bullying and maltreatment in childhood: two cohorts in two countries’ by Lereya et al. published in The Lancet Psychiatry on Tuesday 28^th April. 

Declared interests

Dr Wild: I have no conflicting or financial interests. I am employed by the University of Oxford.