Bullying Kristina R. Kersting, MA LPC - kkersti2@slu.edu 07/22/2010

Objectives Recognize and understand the warning signs of bullying Gain insight specific to LGBTQ youth Increase awareness of cyberbullying and other online activities that place youth at risk for mental health issues Have a clear understanding of alternative ways to approach and assist youth in crisis

Definitions Bullying to treat abusively or to affect by means of force or coercion someone is hurting another person on purpose; the person doing the hurting has more power Bullying can be: Physical Emotional

Why does bullying occur? Frustration Feeling out of control and does not know how to cope Rewards Gets what they want Victims of Abuse Being hurt at home and take it out on others with less power

Why continued... Victim of Neglect Needs are not being met at home The child is being bullied Learns from seeing how their bully gets away with the behaviors Influence of others Poor or no role model Mental Health Concerns

Children who are bullied No particular profile Males are as likely as females Younger youth are bullied by older youth Upper grades in school are bullied by their peers Anxious and Withdrawn Low self esteem

Effects of bullying Increases Depression and Anxiety Which in turn increases anger displayed for both the victims and the bullies Those who are both victim and bully are at the highest risk Increases risk for suicide and self injury Correlation with incarceration Increase of Psychosomatic symptoms

LGBTQ populations Increased risk of being bullied Attempts to hide their orientation 28% of LGBTQ students drop out of high school because they cannot take the harassment and abuse any longer Self medication and overcompensation 33% of LGBTQ youth will attempt suicide (1999)

Unique Stressors for LGBTQ Their increasing awareness of same sex attractions. Identity struggles can result in a period of extreme loneliness, isolation, and self doubt The disclosure of their sexual orientation to family and friends. Those who attempt suicide are less likely to have supportive family and friends Victimization provoked by their sexual orientation. The more teens depart from the typical male and female behavior and dress, the more their peers will reject them; the more isolated they will feel.

Technology Statistics One study found that 97% of adolescents 12-18 years of age use the internet A recent study found that only 16% of the students surveyed spoke with their parents on a regular basis about what they do online Over 80% of adolescents own at least one form of new media technology 68% - 97% of online aggression victims also experience offline relational aggression and 24% - 76% also experience offline physical victimization

Technology email texting (SEXting, EXting) chatting online sending pictures or videos via cell phone social networking blogs

Text messages Email length conversations Constant in school settings Spreads faster than verbal gossip No immediate response Tone is unavailable Picture Mail Pictures appear online

Cyberbullying Cyberbullies tend to hide behind the mask of anonymity that the internet provides by using an alias as a screen name Due to lack of face to face contact with the victim, an online bully may not know the effects they are having in the victim. Therefore, they are less likely to feel remorse or guilt They are more likely to say something hurtful through technology than to someone’s face Cyberbullying can occur anywhere at anytime Can increase anxiety and vulnerability

Research Higher levels of internet use have been associated with higher levels of depression and loneliness Most studies assessing the correlation between bullying and suicide attempts have found that victims were more likely to attempt suicide than those not involved Gender differences Females rely more on indirect forms of violence Females who are frequently bullied were 32 times more likely to be depressed and 10-12 times more likely to attempt suicide

Intervention Isolation Misunderstood No power Helpless Hopeless Scared

Intervention continued Anger is the emotion they are displaying Depression, Anxiety, Fear all what creates this anger Connection beyond confrontation Listening to a victim is sometimes what the best way to intervene Do NOT encourage violence This may not help a youth or their situation

References Agatston, P.W., Kowalski, R.M., & Limber, S.P. (2007). Students’ perspectives on cyberbullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, p S59-S60. Beale, A.V. & Hall, K.R. (2007). Cyberbullying: What school administrators (and parents) can do. The Clearing House, 81(1). p 8-12. Brunstein Klomek, A., Marrocco, F., Kleinman, M., Schonfeld, I.S., & Gould, M.S. (2007). Bullying, depression, and suicidality in adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(1). P 40-49. www.cdc.gov/injury Couros, A. (2008). Safety and social networking. Technology & Learning, 28(7). p 20 – 22. David-Ferdon, C. & Feldman Hertz, M. (2007). Electronic media, violence, and adolescents: An emerging public health problem. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41. p S1-S5. Jennings, K. (2003). Always my child: A parent’s guide to understanding your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning son or daughter. Fireside. New York:New York.

References continued www.hazelden.org/olweus www.isafe.org Klomek, A.B., Marrocco, F., Kleinman, M., Schonfeld, I.S., & Gould, M.S. (2008). Peer victimization, depression, and suicidality in adolescents. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 38(2). P. 166-180. Kowalski, R.M. & Limber, S.P. (2007). Electronic bullying among middle school students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41. p S22 – S30. www.netlingo.com Strom, P.S. & Strom, R.D. (2005). When teens turn cyberbullies. The Educational Forum. www.twu.edu/o-sl/counseling/address.html Williams, K.R. & Guerra, N.G. (2007) Prevalence and predictors of internet bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, p S14 – S21 www.womedia.org