Impact of Bullying Behavior on Mental Health and Quality of Life Among Pre-Adolescents and Adolescents in Sialkot-Pakistan

Abstract

Bullying in children and adolescents has become a serious social problem and a stern threat to mental health and well-being, leaving a shadow for severe psychopathology. Previous research has highlighted bullying behavior is a leading cause of emotional disturbances in children and adolescents, worsening their physical, psychological, and social sense of well-being. The aim of the present research was to explore the influence of bullying behavior on pre-adolescents, and adolescents’ mental health and quality of life.  Further, age group and gender differences were also explored. For this purpose, a random sample of 400 children and adolescents, aged between 8-18 years from different schools and colleges of Sialkot-Pakistan were considered for assessment of bullying behavior.  A self-develop demographic sheet along with different scales to assess bullying behavior, mental health and quality of life was administered. The results suggest that bullying behavior was negatively and significantly associated with mental health problems and quality of life in the whole sample. Findings further indicates the significant difference among pre-adolescents and adolescents on the variables of bullying behavior (t=13.34, ***p<0.01), QOL (t=-3.37, ***p<0.01) and mental health problems (t=-3.69, ***p<0.01). Gender differences on the variables of bullying behavior (t=13.34, ***p<0.01), QOL (t=-3.75, ***p<0.01) and mental health problems (t=-3.69, ***p<0.01) were also found significant. Bullying behavior exerts a greater impact on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. There is an immense need to devise preventive strategies to enhance the emotional, psychological well-being of this group.