Tackling Child Bullying in Primary Care: adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence

Bullying refers to intentional repeated harm by individuals or groups, either directly (verbal or physical) or indirectly (spreading rumours). It may occur in peer settings (e.g. school), but has proliferated through electronic media usage(cyber bullying) with children possibly exposed to bullying 24 hours a day. Its prevalence is approximately 20-30%, with 10-14% children experiencing chronic bullying over years. Many children suffer in silence; 40% do not tell their parents, less than half speak to their teacher. For further information please follow: www.warwick.ac.uk/gpbullyingresearch/resultssummary

Being bullied has serious implications: physical and mental health problems (from headaches to depression to psychosis), self-harm and suicidal behaviour and school absence. It impacts on adult mental and general health, reducing the ability to maintain work, financial and social stability. A recent paper in JAMA Psychiatry (see table) found childhood bullying predicted general anxiety disorders, panic disorder, agoraphobia, depression, and suicidal acts in adulthood.

We are developing a research programme that aims to establish the prevalence of childhood bullying presenting to general practice, to design a training programme for primary care clinicians, and test the effectiveness of a widely accessible intervention.

We would like to hear from GPs or practices that would be interested in contributing to the planned feasibility work.

For further information, please contact Prof Dieter Wolke d.wolke@warwick.ac.uk or Prof Jeremy Dale jeremy.dale@warwick.ac.uk