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Bullying others increases the risk of developing mental health problems and vice versa

A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests there is a two-way relationship between bullying perpetration and internalizing problems among US youth. Bullying perpetration increased the risk of developing internalizing problems, while experiencing internalizing problems increased the probability of bullyi...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateDec 4, 2019

Study finds link between voter preference for Trump and bullying in middle schools

A recent study found a significant link between voter preference for Donald Trump and increased bullying rates among middle school students. The research, conducted by the American Educational Research Association, analyzed data from over 155,000 seventh- and eighth-grade students in Virginia and discovered that localities favoring Tru...

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateJan 9, 2019

How bullying affects the brain

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that chronic peer victimization during adolescence can lead to structural changes in the brain, including decreased volume in areas related to anxiety and depression. The research suggests that early intervention may help mitigate these effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateDec 12, 2018

How parenting affects antisocial behaviors in children

Research by Dr. Rebecca Waller found that parenting style can predict the emergence of aggressive and antisocial behavior in children, with harsher treatment and less emotional warmth increasing the risk of developing such traits.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 4, 2018

Family, school support makes kids more likely to stand up to bullying

A recent study from North Carolina State University found that students with strong family relationships are more likely to intervene when witnessing bullying. Good teacher relationships also play a crucial role in encouraging bystander intervention. In contrast, those who feel excluded or discriminated against by peers or teachers are...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 12, 2018

How parenting affects antisocial behaviors in children

A study of identical twins found that parenting styles that are harsher and less warm increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior and callous-unemotional traits in children. The researchers suggest that interventions aimed at improving parental warmth and reducing harshness could help prevent these behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 11, 2018

Sensitive babies become altruistic toddlers

A study published in PLOS Biology found that infants' attention to fearful faces at seven months predicts altruistic behavior at 14 months. The analysis revealed that brain responses in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex measured through functional near-infrared spectroscopy also predicted altruistic behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 25, 2018

How people view crime depends on the politics of when they were growing up

A recent study published in the British Journal of Criminology reveals that people's perceptions of crime are heavily influenced by the political climate of their youth. Researchers analyzed data from the British Crime Survey and found a strong correlation between respondents' current fears about crime and the political generation they...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·DateAug 7, 2018

Brain lesions and criminal behavior linked to moral decision-making network

Research finds brain lesions associated with increased risk of criminal behavior, specifically impacting the moral decision-making network. The study analyzed MRI and CT scans of individuals with brain lesions, revealing a strong correlation between lesions in the same brain network as those with criminal behavior.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2017

Do bullies have more sex?

A study by Provenzano found that adolescents with lower 'Honesty-Humility' scores tend to use bullying tactics to pursue more sexual partners. They may strategically manipulate others to display traits like strength and dominance, attracting the opposite sex and gaining an advantage in intra-sexual competition.

SourceSpringer·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateDec 14, 2017

Do violent communities foster violent kids?

Researchers found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in children and adolescents, regardless of pre-existing conduct disorder. The study suggests that prevention programs can help break the cycle of violence.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 6, 2017

Exposure to childhood bullying and mental health

A new study found that childhood bullying exposure contributes to multiple mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression. The study suggests that the effects of bullying on mental health dissipate over time, highlighting potential resilience in children who were bullied.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2017