Bullying Can Have Physical Consequences
The study highlights that back pain among young people is a growing global issue. Up to 40% of adolescents experience recurring back pain, and 10% report chronic pain. The negative consequences can be extensive, including reduced physical function, increased school absenteeism, and higher medication use.
Bullying has long been associated with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, but the current study emphasizes that it can also have severe physical consequences, including back pain.
Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia analyzed data from 19 studies, covering over 212,000 young people from 32 different countries. The results show that adolescents who experience bullying are 1.93 times more likely to suffer from back pain compared to those who are not bullied.
Need for Preventive Measures
The study highlights the importance of combating bullying, not only for mental well-being but also for physical health among young people. Prevention of bullying could be a key factor in reducing the prevalence of back pain in youth in the future.
The researchers stress the need for further long-term studies to determine the precise causal relationship between bullying and back pain. It is essential that schools, parents, and healthcare professionals recognize this link to develop effective strategies to reduce both bullying and its health-related consequences.