Bullying and depression, which comes first?

Bullying and depression, which comes first?

By Liz Lockhart

It is easy to assume that being bullied can lead to poor mental health.  Many people who endure being bullied suffer from depression.  A new study now throws this theory on its head.  Researchers believe that people who already suffer from depression are far more likely to be bullied and to have more difficulty with peer relationships.

‘Often the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression.  We found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships.  We examined the issue from both directions but found no evidence to suggest that peer relationships forecasted depression among this school-based sample of adolescents,’ said Daren Kochel, Ph.D., Arizona State University School of Social and Family Dynamics assistant research professor.

The research found that if you are depressed in the fourth grade this predicts bullying in the fifth grade and difficulty with being accepted by peers in the sixth grade.

Data from 486 children in the fourth to sixth grade was examined by researchers.  Yearly surveys were conducted which involved teachers, parents, peers and students.  The study, part of a large-scale project, began in 1992 and continued for almost twenty years.

Parents and teachers were asked to report signs of depression such as crying a lot or a lack of energy.  Peer victimisation was defined as bullying that was manifested physically, verbally or relationally.  This included behaviour such as hitting someone, saying mean things, talking behind someone’s back or picking on someone.

The study notes that having positive peer relationships is vital for adapting to certain aspects of life, such as academic achievement and functions in a healthy psychological way.

‘If adolescent depression forecasts peer relationship problems, then recognising depression is very important at this particular age.  This is especially true given that social adjustment in adolescence appears to have implications for functioning throughout an individual’s lifetime,’ Kochel said.

The researchers feel that school may be the best place to address the signs of depression.  This is because students start spending more time with their friends and less with their parents as they reach adolescence.

Kochel added ‘We studied peer relationships within the school context.  Parents tend not to observe these relationships.  Because depression has the potential to undermine the maturation of key developmental skills, such as establishing healthy peer relationships, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression.’

The findings of the study are published in the journal ‘Child Development’. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Source: Arizona State University. 

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