BULLYING
Modern-day adolescents are confronted with a varied range of present-day issues, hence end up being more stressed. Various factors play a significant role in this. They include peer pressure, individuality crisis, bullying, among others.
Dake et al. (2003) define bullying as aggressive behavior that is intentional, repeated and involves a power imbalance. Bullying takes various forms such as vocal abuse, directly such as physical, indirect such as public humiliation and exclusions, and cyberbullying (Rigby, 2002). Boys use physical intimidation and coercion, whereas girls settle for verbal, social, and cyberbullying. Various external stressors aggravate the issue of bullying. Such include; eating disorders, weight complications, stature, health conditions, and infirmity. High school students are most affected when it comes to bullying. Many of these students have reported incidences of bullying that range from physical abuse, humiliation, and cyberbullying. Adolescents who are bullied eventually end up depressed. They engage in immoral behavior that may result in substance misuse and other illegal activities.
When screening such a patient, it is essential to identify the kind of bullying they are experiencing or have experienced. It is also essential to establish the effects it has had on them. Identify any external stressors that may have led to the situation. When adolescents are faced with such issues, immediate intervention is the best remedy to cub different effects on them (Sharp & Smith, 2002). Early intervention helps the patient and allows for quick recovery. one may ask some guiding questions to know the extent of bullying. They may include;
* Is the patient in any form of pain?
* How much effect has it had on their behavior?
* What external parameters have played a part in the issue?