Recovery Michigan

"Our results showed those who were bullied were more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were maltreated," states Prof. Wolke. "Being both bullied and maltreated also increased the risk of overall mental health problems, anxiety and depression in both groups."

A series of other studies have found that high school students who are bullied are more likely to report serious depression, consider suicide and carry weapons to school.

"Teens can be the victim of face-to-face bullying in school, electronic bullying outside of the classroom and dating violence," says senior investigator Dr. Andrew Adesman of Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY. "Each of these experiences are associated with a range of serious adverse consequences."

"The CDC reports that 11% of high school students experience dating violence, and 20% report being bullied," says principal investigator Alexis Tchaconas. "Greater prevention efforts are needed to protect the mental health and physical well-being of our teens."

"Being bullied is not a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up; it has serious long-term consequences," concludes Prof. Wolke. "It is important for schools, health services and other agencies to work together to reduce bullying and the adverse effects related to it."