Does bullying cause emotional problems? A prospective study of young teenagers

Abstract

Objectives: To establish the relation between recurrent peer victimisation and onset of serf reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in the early teen years. Design: Cohort study over two years. Setting: Secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Participants: 2680 students surveyed twice in year 8 (aged 13 years) and once in year 9. Main outcome measures: Self reported symptoms of anxiety or depression were assessed by using the computerised version of the revised clinical interview schedule. Incident cases were students scoring ≥ 12 in year 9 but not previously. Prior victimisation was defined as having been bullied at either or both survey times in year 8. Results: Prevalence of victimi..