ABSTRACT

Bullying amongst young people is a serious and pervasive problem, and recent rapid advances in electronic communication technologies have provided even more tools for bullies to exploit. School Bullying and Mental Health collates current research evidence and theoretical perspectives about school bullying in one comprehensive volume, identifying the nature and extent of bullying and cyberbullying at school, as well as its impact on children and young people’s emotional health and well-being.

There are many negative consequences of bullying, and children and young people who have been victimised often suffer long-term psychological problems, such as increased levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, social isolation, loneliness and suicidal ideation. Perpetrators of bullying also have a heightened risk of experiencing problems such as anxiety and depression, as well as eating disorders and antisocial behaviour. Founded on rigorous academic research, this important book tackles the negative consequences of bullying, and bullying culture itself, by examining the social and cultural contexts that perpetuate such behaviour from childhood through adolescence and potentially into adulthood.

Containing contributions from an international team of authors, this book explores current interventions to prevent and reduce school bullying and to alleviate its negative effects on the mental health of children and young people. In-depth discussion of the profound implications of this research for researchers, practitioners and policymakers makes this book essential reading for those interested in bullying culture and the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

part 1|23 pages

The nature of bullying

part 2|53 pages

The interface between bullying and crime

chapter 3|8 pages

Boundaries of bullying

When does bullying behaviour become criminal?

chapter 5|12 pages

Contested and complex terrain

Sexual violence in UK schools

part 4|54 pages

The social and cultural contexts which challenge or promote school bullying

chapter 11|15 pages

Bullying and social media

chapter 13|10 pages

Bullying and resilience within a neoliberal framework

Implications for mental health and well-being

chapter 14|13 pages

School culture as a determinant of bullying

Exploring the participant roles

part 5|44 pages

Effective interventions and policies to counteract school bullying

chapter 15|11 pages

Paper tiger or effective guidelines

The use of policies and procedures to address school bullying

chapter 16|12 pages

Reducing school bullying

A whole-school approach

chapter 17|10 pages

Convivencia

A strategy that prevents school bullying and promotes emotional health and well-being

part 6|19 pages

Commentaries and epilogue

chapter 19|4 pages

Continuities into the university

chapter 20|6 pages

Continuities into the workplace

What can we learn from research into workplace bullying?

chapter 22|4 pages

Epilogue

Implications and considerations for future research in the field of young people’s mental health