Kids involved in bullying see more violence at home

by Aimee Keenan-Greene

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published recently in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report, says Massachusetts middle and high school students who are bullies, victims of bullies, or both (bully-victims) are more likely to report being physically hurt by a family member.

This is the first state-specific report on the health risks associated with bullying among middle and high school students.

Those teens also report witnessing violence in their families more than students uninvolved in bullying.

The report found those students are more likely to consider suicide or intentionally injuring themselves in a non-suicide attempt.

5,807 middle and high school students from 138 MA public schools were surveyed.  

About 44 percent of middle school students report being involved in bullying in some way.

About 30 percent of high school students were involved in bullying. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health says the health and family environment for students involved in bullying are substantially worse than for those who are not involved in bullying. 

According to the US department of Health and Human Services, people who are bullied have a higher risk of depression and anxiety. In one study, adults who recalled being bullied in their youth were 3 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts or inclinations.

The results underscore the importance of primary prevention programs, as well as comprehensive programs and strategies that involve families, according to the CDC.

Massachusetts has led the march against bullying since the suicides of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of South Hadley last year and 11-year-old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover of Springfield in 2009. The Bay state passed anti-bullying legislation last May prohibiting bullying in school and online, and mandating school-developed bullying prevention and intervention plans.

Stop Bullying Now! Rhode Island is a non-profit organization focused on preventing bullying in our society through education and awareness. 

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