1. Bullying
Kristina R. Kersting, MA LPC -
07/22/2010

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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Anxious and Withdrawn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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. Technology Statistics
One study found that 97% of adolescents 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 times more likely to attempt suicide

15. Intervention
Isolation
Misunderstood
No power
Helpless
Hopeless
Scared

16. 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

17. 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
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.

18. 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
Kowalski, R.M. & Limber, S.P. (2007). Electronic bullying among middle school students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41. p S22 – S30.
Strom, P.S. & Strom, R.D. (2005). When teens turn cyberbullies. The Educational Forum.
Williams, K.R. & Guerra, N.G. (2007) Prevalence and predictors of internet bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, p S14 – S21