Bullying in Teen Girls Can Lead to Future Problematic Behavior

Bullying in teen girls and boys continues to be a prevalent issue in schools across the country. No longer is bullying confined to face-to-face interactions–the creation of the internet has opened up an entirely new platform for bullying to occur. With 1 in 5 teens experiencing bullying first hand, it’s surprising more isn’t being done.

A new study discovered bullying may be an even bigger issue than previously thought.

Bullying victims have higher risk of violent behavior

In the study, researchers looked at a sample of 15,000 students, grades 9 through 12. About 20 percent of students reported being victims of bullying. Of those students, around 4 percent said they had brought a weapon to school in the past month.

Three survey questions were asked:

• How often they skipped school because they felt unsafe
• How often they got in physical fights at school
• How many times they were threatened with a weapon at school

A teen was much more likely to bring a weapon to school if they answered yes to all 3 of the questions. Teens who had been bullied were greater than four times as likely to skip school, twice as likely to get into fights, and five times more likely to be threatened with a weapon.

While the study wasn’t a controlled experiment, the findings still signify an issue that deserves attention. Clearly, a link between bullying and violent behavior exists.

Recognizing signs your child is being bullied

Early intervention plays an enormous role in recovery time, so if you can identify your child’s struggle before it gets out of hand, the process will often be easier.

According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, common signs that could signify bullying in teen girls include:

• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. 
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
• Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem
• Self-destructive behaviors like harming themselves or talking about suicide

If you believe your daughter is struggling, it’s essential to reach out to a professional for guidance. Your family has options.

Asheville Academy helps with bullying in teen girls

Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for girls, ages 10-14. Our students commonly struggle with bullying in teen girls, anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning differences, and other behavioral or emotional challenges. We understand that transitioning into middle school can be stressful for the whole family, but Asheville Academy is here to help.

With the help of our licensed therapists, experienced teachers, caring staff, and expertly designed program, our students move closer to a healthier life. Furthermore, we use the best tactics and therapeutic methods in order to help our students thrive at Asheville Academy.

For more information about how we help with bullying in teens at Asheville Academy, call 800-264-8709 today.