Bullying, anxiety and depression

A study of 210 college undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 25 looked at the links between bullying in childhood and the continuing presence of mental-health problems in young adulthood. The study looked into the effects of 'relational victimization' ; being shunned, being excluded from social activities and having rumours spread about oneself. The researchers found that memories of these experiences were associated with depresssion and social anxiety. There was no difference between the sexes as to how childhood bullying affected people and even having friends or other positive relationships in the present didn't lessen the effect of childhood victimization.