Exclusion and Bullying Correlation

A new report documents that being excluded leading to bullying can cause depression in children with physical/mental challenges.  Other factors that were included in the report highlighted age and the presence of respective health aliments.  This report was written by behavioral-health experts at the University of South Carolina.

“What is notable about these findings is that despite all the many challenges these children face in relation to their chronic medical or developmental diagnosis, being bullied or excluded by their peers were the factors most likely to predict whether or not they reported symptoms of depression,” said Margaret Ellis McKenna, a senior fellow in developmental-behavioral pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina who presented the research.

These results are taken from a report of 109 children between the ages of 8-17 with a variety of physical/mental challenges.  Researchers questioned the children and the support systems to find signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression.  These children were then asked to screen to determine whether or not they were bullied by able-bodied individuals.

 

Accordingly, the researchers stated that children who were bullied or excluded should be closely monitored for signs of depression or other introvert behavior patterns.  Health professionals need to be prepared for the chastised group of students with physical/mental challenges.  Bullying also is more likely to lead to depression than any other limitation in students with physical/mental challenges.

 

Bullying Effects: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/04/30/kids-fallout-bullying/15491/