Understanding the Impact of Bullying: Insights from Experts

The seminar on school violence and the determinants and effects of bullying is commencing, with the presence of academic authorities, students, and the University community. The focus is on understanding the reality of bullying through studies and insights from three experts on the subject.

Sergio Ustua, the coordinator of social policies at CLAPES USP in economics at the University of Chicago and a professor at the University of Maryland, introduces the seminar. He discusses the methodology used in the paper, highlighting the lack of current data in Chile and instead focusing on the case of South Korea.

Sergio Ustua delves into the role of cognitive and socio-emotional skills in the context of bullying, using South Korea as a case study due to data availability. The study aims to explore how these skills, in conjunction with the environment, influence the likelihood of being a bullying victim and the impact of bullying on mental health, physical health, and access to higher education.

Bullying is a significant issue globally, with examples like 160,000 students in the US skipping school daily due to bullying fears. The paper highlights the association of bullying with extreme outcomes like suicides and emphasizes the increasing attention bullying is receiving in Latin America, particularly in Chile.

Bullying is common in academia, with instances of bullying related to academic work. The paper underscores the importance of knowing how to respond to such behavior and suggests that while preventing bullying entirely may be challenging, effective responses can mitigate its impact.

It is crucial to understand the impact of events to be able to act effectively. Identifying the variables that determine the level of impact in the medium term is essential for informed decision-making.

In the last 10 years, Chile has conducted a systematic survey on school violence called 'ene.' This survey aims to measure the evolution of bullying and associated behaviors. The survey provides valuable insights into the prevalence and nature of bullying incidents in schools.

Cross-sectional data, like the 2014 survey on school violence, has empirical limitations compared to longitudinal data. While cross-sectional studies offer associations, they do not capture causality as effectively. Longitudinal data allows for a deeper understanding of the determinants and consequences of phenomena over time.

The National Survey on School Violence reports nine different forms of bullying categorized into physical, social, and verbal threats. These indicators help in understanding the prevalence and nature of bullying behaviors among students.

Approximately 8.1% of students, around 108,000 individuals, experience severe victimization within schools, indicating a significant issue of bullying. When considering net bullying rates, accounting for both victims and aggressors, the daily victimization rate is around 2.7-3% among 35,000 students, while the weekly victimization rate is approximately 6.2% among 80,000 students.

A survey conducted in Chile with nearly 52,000 students from seventh to twelfth grade revealed alarming statistics about bullying. The survey, administered in classrooms, collected self-reported data on victimization experiences. This national sample highlighted the severity of bullying incidents in Chilean schools.

Cristian Berger, an academic psychologist from the University Católica, with a doctorate in educational psychology from the United States and a master's in clinical child and adolescent psychology from the University of Chile, provided insights on a different perspective on the issue.

The discussion emphasized the public health implications of bullying, with approximately 25% of children in Chile not attending school. This absence has significant long-term societal impacts, prompting interdisciplinary discussions on the costs and benefits associated with early interventions and the integration of micro and macro perspectives.

A longitudinal study conducted in the United Kingdom distinguished between victims, aggressive victims, and aggressors in bullying dynamics. The study correlated participation in violence with indicators of psychological disorders, showing that victims were 2.3 times more likely to attempt suicide compared to non-participants. Aggressors exhibited disruptive behavior and substance use tendencies.

After a 10-year follow-up study on victimized children, it was found that they had a 31% higher likelihood of developing panic disorders, social phobias, and social anxiety. This is significant as these conditions are increasingly prevalent in Chile and consume a substantial portion of public health resources. Additionally, the study revealed that aggressors showed a development of antisocial personality traits, leading to behaviors such as substance abuse and escalating criminal activities over time.

Victimized children who later became aggressors were approximately 2% of the population. Alarmingly, male victims turned aggressors were 18.5 times more likely to exhibit suicidal tendencies. This highlights the profound impact of bullying on mental health, with diagnoses ranging from panic disorders to depression, underscoring the public health implications of such behaviors.

It is evident that the current approach to addressing bullying and abuse is inadequate. There is a pressing need to rethink strategies and interventions to prevent the long-term negative consequences observed in victims and aggressors. It is crucial to shift focus towards valuing human dignity and fostering emotional intelligence as integral aspects of human development.