Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinition6 Types of BullyingPrevalenceMental Health Effects
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Table of Contents
Definition
6 Types of Bullying
Prevalence
Mental Health Effects
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When you think of bullying, the physically and verbally aggressive behavior thatschool childrenendure from their peers might be what immediately springs to mind. However, it’s important to recognize that bully can come in many different forms. Just because it doesn’t involve physical or verbal aggression doesn’t mean that it doesn’t count as bullying. In fact, there are actually six different kinds of bullying: physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial.
These types of bullying often overlap. Bullies frequently use more than one form to abuse a victim. Moreover, bullying isn’t limited to kids and teenagers. Adults can also be guilty of bullying, too.
At a GlanceBullying is a common problem among school-age kids, but it can affect anyone of any age. This intentional aggressive behavior is often about intimidation and control, and it can range from overt acts of violence to more subtle forms of emotional intimidation. Being able to recognize the different forms that bullying can take, including physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial, is important. It can take a heavy toll on victims, so spotting the signs and taking action is crucial.
At a Glance
Bullying is a common problem among school-age kids, but it can affect anyone of any age. This intentional aggressive behavior is often about intimidation and control, and it can range from overt acts of violence to more subtle forms of emotional intimidation. Being able to recognize the different forms that bullying can take, including physical, verbal, relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial, is important. It can take a heavy toll on victims, so spotting the signs and taking action is crucial.
What Exactly Is Bullying?
One of the most noteworthy components of bullying is an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim.
Sometimes, the power imbalance is obvious when, for example, a bigger, stronger kid bullies a weaker, smaller kid or when a group of people bullies a single individual. However, sometimes the power imbalance is more difficult to discern because it involves less obvious factors, such as differences in popularity, intelligence, or ability, or knowledge of the information the victim finds embarrassing.
Bullying falls into six categories, some of which are more obvious than others. They include:
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying is the most obvious type of bullying and what many people think of when they imagine this kind ofaggression.
Physical bullying involves any assault on a person’s body, including hitting, kicking, tripping, or pushing. It can also extend to inappropriate hand gestures or stealing or breaking a victims' belongings.
If a physical altercation happens between two people of similar size and strength, it’s not considered physical bullying.
Studies have shown that boys are more likely to be involved in physical bullying than girls. For example, research has found that boys are more likely to be both the perpetrators and victims of physical bullying.
Some research suggests that such differences stem from gender differences in socialization. Boys are socialized to use direct aggression, whereas girls are socialized to express aggression indirectly.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying involves usingspoken or written words to insult or intimidatea victim. It includes name-calling, teasing, and even threats.
Verbal bullying isn’t always easy to recognize because it often takes place when authority figures aren’t around. Moreover, a bully can pass it off as good-natured ribbing between friends. As a result, it can be difficult for the victim to prove. Therefore, this form of bullying can become a long-term source of stress and anxiety.
Social Anxiety Disorder in Children
Relational Bullying
Relational bullying, which is also referred to as relational aggression or social bullying, involves actions intended to harm a victim’s reputation or relationships.It can include embarrassing the victim in public, spreading rumors, purposely leaving them out of social situations, or ostracizing them from a group.
Unlike more overt types of bullying, it is especiallysly and insidiousbecause it involves social manipulation.
Relational bullying is often associated with so-called “mean girls.” However, while research has shown girls are more often the victims of relational bullying than boys, both boys are more likely to be perpetrators of this type of bullying.
On the other hand, studies suggest that girls who engage in relational bullying have worseadjustment problems, including issues maintaining fulfilling and positive relationships.
Relational bullying can lead toisolation,loneliness, depression, and social anxiety. Unfortunately, research indicates that teachers, school counselors, and other educational staff tend to feel relational bullying is less serious and have less empathy for victims of relational bullying than victims of physical and verbal bullying.
This may be because the severity of relational bullying is more challenging to detect. Physical and verbal bullying results in disciplinary action toward the perpetrator around 50% of the time, whereas this response only happens 10% of the time with relational bullying
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens via electronic deviceslike computers, smart phones, and tablets. It can take place over text messages, social media, apps, or online forums and involves posting or sending harmful content, including messages and photos, and sharing personal information that causes humiliation.
In-person bullying is still more prevalent than cyberbullying butcyberbullyingis a growing problem. Not only are perpetrators of cyberbullying less likely to be caught, but the online nature of cyberbullying can also be especially damaging to victims.
People have their devices on them all day, every day, so if they’re being cyberbullied, they never get a break, even in their homes.
Similarly, targets of cyberbullying may be constantly reminded of the online bullying they’ve endured because, even if they block the cyberbully, others may see and share the evidence.
Sexual Bullying
Sexual bullying and harassment are remarkably widespread. A 2019 study found that 81% of women and 43% of men experiencedsexual harassmentor assault at some point in their lifetime.
Meanwhile,sexting, sending or receiving sexually explicit messagesor images between electronic devices, is becoming increasingly common.
Research shows that among kids between the ages of 11 and 17, 15% of them sent sexts and 27% received sexts; the prevalence of the behavior increases as adolescents age.
When sexts are sent without consent, such as when private nude photos or videos of an individual are widely shared among a peer group, it can lead to sexual bullying and evensexual assault.
Prejudicial Bullying
Prejudicial bullying involves online or in-person bullying based on the target’s race, ethnicity, religion, orsexual orientation. It is based on stereotypes and is often a result of the belief that some people deserve to be treated with less respect than others.
Though prejudicial bullying has been studied less than other types of bullying, researchindicates that ethnic and sexual minorities are more likely to be bullied than their peers.
However, ethnic minorities that attend more ethnically diverse schools experience less bullying than those in schools that are more ethnically homogenous.
How Common Is Bullying?
Mental Health Effects of Bullying
People who are bullied can experience a plethora ofshort- and long-term problems, including depression and anxiety,social withdrawal, substance abuse, difficulties at school or work such as underachieving and poor attendance, and evensuicide.
In addition, children who are targets of bullying may become victims or perpetrators ofviolencelater in life.Meanwhile, those who bully others are more likely to get into fights and vandalize property, abuse drugs and alcohol, havecriminal convictions in adulthood, andabuse their romantic partners and children.
Even people who simply observe bullying can experience issues, including mental health difficulties and increased substance use.
Takeaways
Bullying can have lasting mental health effects, which is why it’s so important to recognize it and address it as soon as possible. While physical and verbal bullying are the most recognizable forms, other types are also common and often occur together. Relational, cyber, sexual, and prejudicial bullying are other types of bullying that are sometimes less readily apparent (but just as damaging).
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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