Research shows difference in bully and victim thought patterns

By Staff Writer

New research from RMIT University in Australia shows that teenage bullies and their victims may have distorted thought patterns that can affect their emotional and social functioning. Dr. Geraldine Abdilla studied 1,086 teenagers for her research.

The results showed how anti-bullying interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral techniques, could help both the bullies and their victims. She found that bullies have self-serving patterns of thinking, in which they justify and rationalize their behavior. In addition, her research revealed that victims have self-debasing cognitive distortions, where they blame themselves, put themselves down and feel guilt and shame.

Both of these distorted patterns have a negative impact on psychosocial functioning, with victims reporting higher levels of depression, anxiety and anger, while bullies experience lower peer attachment, Abdilla said in her report.

A study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimated that 1.7 million U.S. children in grades six through 10 could be identified as bullies. The study found that 10.6 percent of students reported bullying others sometimes and 8.8 percent admitted to bullying others once a week, or more frequently.