Bullying linked to depression, anxiety in adults

In a study of 210 college students, University of Florida researchers discovered a link between what psychologists call relational victimization in adolescence and depression and anxiety in early adulthood. There is no gender difference in the link between this type of bullying and depression. Rather than threatening a child with physical violence, usually bullies target a child’s social status and relationships by shunning them, excluding them from social activities or spreading rumors. Currently, there are few prevention or intervention programs that focus specifically on relational victimization, in part because it’s tougher to pinpoint and stop.