Understanding Bullying: Roles, Types, Gender Difference and Effect on Mental Health

This paper is an attempt to understand bullying, bullying roles and types, bullying and gender differences, bullying and its effect on the mental health of school going students in the last decade. The review of literature shows that boys and girls use different strategies of bullying. School going students involved in bullying activities (bully/victim) shows mental health problems. Mental health problems related to depression, suicidal tendency, anxiety, stress, low self-confidence and self-esteem, disturbed sleep and emotional and behavioural problems are seen among victims. Mental health issues such as symptoms of depression, externalizing problems, alcohol abuse, tobacco abuse and hyperactivity are some of the mental health problems seen among bullies.