In the heart of school classrooms, silence often covers wounds that cannot be seen with the naked eye. School bullying, sometimes overt and sometimes insidiously hidden behind words and screens, leaves indelible scars on victims and perpetrators.
MSc psychologist and psychotherapist Nikoletta Karagianni, focusing on the root causes and effects of violence, analyzes how bullying affects the mental landscape of children and teenagers. Through her experience, she suggests ways to break the cycle of silence and cultivate schools where every voice is heard and every soul is protected.
– What is school bullying?
School bullying and bullying in general refers to the use of violence from a student to a student with the aim of causing fear, disturbance but above all to gain power and dominance over another. This is a key factor, to exercise control either through physical or verbal violence when we are talking about school bullying or electronic violence when we are talking about cyberbullying.
– What are the biggest psychological effects of bullying and cyberbullying on victims?
Certainly the victims and the perpetrator are involved. The psychological effects that a victim who suffers violence can have, have to do with his self-esteem, his image, his insecurities are affected and phobias are created. The person withdraws, does not want to go to school, attend classes, isolate themselves, both socially and within the family context. There are changes in his behavior, more dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior are created and consolidated that are initially related to my lower self-esteem, so I am victimized while there are consequences in my behavior as well.
There is a social withdrawal, the feeling of loneliness that is created, the depressing thought which can have long-term consequences of depression, but also suicide attempts, because there are many such incidents. His school performance is definitely affected, usually within the family context there are disturbances in eating habits, sleep, intense stress, anxiety, irritability, and perhaps difficulty concentrating in general. There are also psychosomatic effects, they physicalize the anxiety and stress they experience.
– The other member of the equation is the abuser. Are we affected there?
Where it is observed it is a delinquent behavior. But we see that this behavior eventually continues. This affects and is affected by other factors. Abusers may smoke, use drugs, alcohol. This aggression can develop into antisocial, deviant, delinquent behavior with all that this entails in both their adolescent and adult lives.
Nicoletta Karagiannis
– What are the signs that parents should look out for, whether the child is the victim or the perpetrator?
They are two different cases. Let’s consider the victims. What they will see is a variation in behavior, an introversion, the victimization I mentioned before, a general withdrawal, they lose interest in things that used to satisfy them. There is this anhedonia, there is no sense of satisfaction and feeling of joy in what they are doing. It also differs nutritionally, in sleep, they will understand it from the grades at school, there is a different picture at school. Because of this victimization, the person experiences this feeling of loneliness, there is guilt and they internalize what is happening to them.
When there are open channels of communication with parents they will begin to understand that there are some signs that show that something is malfunctioning, something is not right. Discussion, dialogue, respect for what the child has to say is needed. But these kinds of relationships are built over the years and are the ones that will allow us in the end to listen to what is happening to the child and help him, either within the family or by asking for the help of a specialist.
– In the case of the abuser, what happens?
This issue is a bit complicated, because usually children who express violence, in an indirect or direct way, as observers have seen it. There are children who experience violence in their own homes or they may see this violence between their parents. Now children are exposed daily and without the supervision of their parents to images on mobile phones, on television. They are very violent images that are inappropriate for their age, developmentally, psychologically and chronologically. This greatly affects how they learn to communicate and connect with others. An intense outburst of violence against a person does not suddenly begin. There are signs that show us that little by little this child, the teenager, has directly or indirectly received some form of violence and in a way reproduces it.
– From a psychological perspective, what are some common characteristics or situations that might make a person more vulnerable to being bullied?
Usually people who differ in some way from the social group to which they belong are the first candidates to be bullied. They may have some particularity, some learning difficulty at school, anything that differentiates them in childhood and adolescence usually intrigues the bully and starts the bullying. Also people who are more passive as characters, have lower self-esteem, are not so social are also an easier target for a person who wants to exercise control over them. Also younger children.
– What is the role of peers in bullying, especially in the digital environment? We see videos being passed from mobile to mobile, comments being written…
In a way some become observers, not directly participating, but observing a violent situation. And because there is a strong need for acceptance, mimicry at this age, especially in teenagers, you try not to differentiate yourself too much from the whole and in a way you participate as an observer in this violent behavior and act. There is the need to join some social group, the difficulty in differentiating oneself against the one who at that moment has authority and power and causes fear with this behavior, so they manage it silently or in the form of imitation.
– Can educating students about mental health and empathy help reduce school violence? And in what ways?
It will definitely help. Of course, in this part, in the psychoeducation of teachers and students, we should not forget the participation of parents. If there is only within a school unit a training and a willingness to enter more effectively into the issue and the “core” which is the family and the parents does not participate in it, there cannot be any substantial result. So in any program or intervention it is important to include parents. Because without counseling the parents themselves there will be no substantial benefit.
– We are also talking about a change of mentality.
In general, violence and as it is expressed in our days, does not have to do only with a specific act, it has to do with the wider social and economic situation. When there is poverty, unemployment, economic impoverishment, parents who work from morning to night and there is no parental supervision as it should be, we are talking about issues that cannot be discussed in isolation. The problem in society regarding violence is global.
– What would you suggest to the young people themselves who may become recipients, perpetrators or witnesses of bullying, to do in order to be able to effectively manage this phenomenon?
To the recipients of bullying, the most important thing we always say is to speak up and express what is happening to them. That is why it is important for school units to have mental health specialists permanently so that a relationship is created with the students and they can express what will happen to them. Many times a victim may indeed be troubled by what he experiences and when he is victimized someone finds it difficult to express it, to say it. And this is because there is a part about guilt, which the abuser cultivates. In these cases there is more difficulty to share it. That is where the role of parents and people the child trusts is important, but it would certainly help if there are mental health professionals permanently in the school groups who will listen and understand that something is going on.
As for the abusers, they are usually not the ones -unfortunately- who will ask for help, either because they think they will not be listened to, or because they understand and know that what they are doing is illegal and socially unacceptable. They will not seek help. The ones who have to seek help are the parents, caregivers, guardians of the students who start having this kind of behavior, outbursts, emotional changes, they see that an aggression is starting that often there is no stimulus to cause it. It is important that the parents themselves seek help for the child and the whole context. Usually when one person in the family needs help, it is good for the whole family context to enter into a healing process. To show support and acceptance. Acceptance and unconditional love is very important.
Whether the child is a victim, a perpetrator, or an observer of a situation, receiving acceptance and unconditional love is a basic condition for the child to feel comfortable to talk about their possible mistake, the guilt they experience, the trauma. If he feels that the parent is not judgmental, in a way he will listen to it and not dismiss what he says and the same is very important.
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**Interview with Nikoletta Karagianni: Understanding and Combating School Bullying**
**Editor:** Today, we are joined by MSc psychologist and psychotherapist, Nikoletta Karagianni, who specializes in the effects of bullying on young people. Nikoletta, thank you for being here.
**Nikoletta Karagianni:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
**Editor:** Let’s start with a fundamental question: What exactly is school bullying?
**Nikoletta:** School bullying involves the use of violence by one student against another, aimed at instilling fear or gaining power. It can manifest as physical, verbal, or even electronic aggression, like cyberbullying. Unlike typical conflicts, bullying is characterized by an imbalance of power.
**Editor:** What are some of the significant psychological effects of bullying on students, especially those who are victims?
**Nikoletta:** Victims often suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. They may withdraw socially, struggle academically, and develop dysfunctional behavior patterns. The long-term consequences can be severe, including increased risks of depression and suicidal thoughts. They might also experience changes in sleeping and eating habits.
**Editor:** And what about the bullies themselves? How are they affected?
**Nikoletta:** Bullies might also face serious consequences. Their aggressive behaviors can lead to antisocial tendencies and even substance abuse. Patterns of violence observed in their own homes or among peers can perpetuate their actions, impacting their lives as adolescents and adults.
**Editor:** What signs should parents look for to identify if their child is involved in bullying—either as a victim or a perpetrator?
**Nikoletta:** For victims, signs include withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, changes in sleep and eating habits, and declining school performance. Open communication is crucial for parents to understand what their children are experiencing. In bullies, the signs can be less obvious, but a history of aggressive behavior or exposure to violence at home can be indicators.
**Editor:** How important is the role of peers in contributing to bullying behaviors, particularly in the digital age?
**Nikoletta:** Peer dynamics are significant. Often, bystanders may not directly bully but can contribute by remaining silent or even participating passively, driven by the desire for acceptance. The digital realm amplifies this, with social media facilitating the rapid spread of harmful behaviors.
**Editor:** So, what could schools do to address this issue effectively?
**Nikoletta:** Implementing mental health education and fostering open communication among students, teachers, and parents is vital. However, we must involve parents actively in the conversation to foster a holistic approach to prevention and support.
**Editor:** Lastly, what advice would you give to young people who may be experiencing, witnessing, or perpetuating bullying?
**Nikoletta:** Speak up. Victims should feel empowered to share their experiences, ideally with trusted adults or mental health professionals. For witnesses, standing against bullying and supporting those affected can create a more compassionate school environment. Everyone has a role in breaking the cycle of silence and violence.
**Editor:** Thank you, Nikoletta, for your insights. It’s crucial we continue discussions around these issues to foster safer and more supportive school environments.
**Nikoletta:** Thank you for raising awareness. It’s a collective effort that requires participation from all corners: schools, families, and the wider community.
