Daijiworld Media Network 

Washington, Oct 10: A study published in journal ‘Frontiers in Psychiatry’ highlights that children who are bullied by siblings and friends are more likely to develop mental health issues and have suicidal thoughts in their early twenties. 

The researchers at the University of Warwick conducted the study on children born in the 90s. The participants were asked to self-report bullying when they were 12 years old. After a time gap of 12 years, when the participants were 24, they were assessed for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and self harm. 

Of 3,881 youths studied, it was found that 31.2% experienced bullying by a sibling. Of those who both became victims and bullied siblings 15.1% were diagnosed with clinical depression, 35.7% experienced suicidal ideation and 16.1% self-harmed with a further 4.9% with the intent of suicide. 

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Those who experienced sibling bullying and peer bullying had double the odds of developing clinical depression and consider suicide. 

The researchers Professor Dieter Wolke and Dr Slava Dantchev from the University of Warwick have written the paper 'The Independent and Cumulative Effects of Sibling and Peer Bullying in Childhood on Depression, Anxiety, Suicidal Ideation, and Self-Harm in Adulthood' published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry. 

"This is the first study to show that being bullied by siblings has adverse effects on mental health into adulthood, when the siblings are not living together anymore. Those bullied at home are also more likely to be bullied by peers and have no save space at school or at home. This further increased their torment and affected their mental health,” Dr Slava Dantchev told media. 

Meanwhile, Professor Dieter Wolke highlights the importance of educating and helping parents to deal and reduce bulling between siblings in early childhood. He admits this area is overlooked in parent support programmes as well as mental health provisions.