Here at The University of Warwick we would like to THANK YOU for taking the time to fill out our brief questionnaire. The response we have had has been excellent and has provided a great insight into the views of young people around this topic.

 

We have now summarised the findings from our web page and would like to share with you our results.

The number of people who completed the questionnaire was:

The age group ranged from:

   

The average age of the person who filled in the questionnaire was:

 What young people thought about question 1:

How important do you think it is for GPs to be better able to recognise and help young people who are being affected by bullying?

 

 What young people thought about question 2:

As a young person how would you feel if a GP asked you about any experiences of being bullied if you were attending the GP for an everyday problem such as a headache or tummy ache? Would you feel comfortable with this?

 

What young people thought about question 3:

We are thinking of asking young people to complete a questionnaire while in the waiting room when they visit the doctor to ask about their current health. This would include some questions about experience of being bullied. Would you feel comfortable answering such a questionnaire in the waiting room?

 

 

We particularly looked at yong people aged 16 and under, results from this age group are below.

 

• 96 young people 16 and under answered our questionnaire
• The average age from this group that answered our questionnaire was 14 years old

 

What young people 16 and under thought of question1:

 

 

What young people 16 and under thought of question 2:

 

 

What young people 16 and under thought of question 3:

 

 

Some young people decided to add additonal comments and listed below are some that we thought were really good.

 

If doctors don't realize that there is an issue someone can become very depressed and continue to get worse in their health. Female 13

 

We can put a stop to bullying quicker if they know the signs. Female 12

 

I think it is very important because if GPs don't recognize this, it could affect the young person's life. Female 13

 

As I am open about my bullying experiences I would feel completely comfortable sharing my bullying experiences, especially in the knowledge that this could be used to benefit others. However, I am aware that a lot of people would feel uncomfortable doing so if their identity was known. Female 15

 

Overall I think GPs asking about bullying is a good thing as you are less likely to lie to someone who could really make a difference to your health ( doctor ). Male 15

 

Because bullying can very often lead to self-harm and suicide, therefore the more people that can do something to prevent it, the better, particularly doctors who can do something about it. Female 15

 

GP's need to know the right time to ask about bullying. Some people may be more comfortable than others when it come to this topic. Female 15

 

As the NHS aims to improve the health of its users it makes sense that GPs should be trained how to help young people being bullied. Bullying can lead to serious damage to mental health and self esteem in the future and so it is very relevant to their health and well-being. If bullying was prevented at an earlier stage young people's mental health would be better in the long term. Asking questions about bullying also encourages them to talk about it at an earlier stage before potential psychological damage is done, for example. Female 16

 

There is a lot to be done on the bulling issue - just telling the victims to 'get on with it' and 'ignore the bully' doesn't work any more - it never has done. There needs to be action at the source to find out why the bullies do what they do, and how it can be stopped for good. Many bullies are victims, or need help themselves. Much more needs to be done. Female Teens

 

Once again we would like to thank you for taking part and for leaving your email address's many of you have been contacted in regards to our future work. We look forward to trying to make a difference to young people's health and quality of life.

 

If you have any further suggestions or comments regarding this research or questions you feel we need to further ask young people, please email us at e.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk All suggestions and comments made will be useful in guiding our future work.