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Teen Suicide and Bullying
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Emotional Turbulence and Social Hostility
Teen suicide is determined by emotional instability and social aggression, and it is pretty
rare to have one without the other, which makes it a susceptible issue that often has tragic
consequences. Emotional turbulence can be defined as the inner conflicts teenagers experience,
forming their identity, low self-esteem, and the tasks outlined by Erikson's theory of
psychosocial development. Erikson's stage of Identity vs Role confusion indicates that
adolescents are in a stage in which they try out different identities and roles in a bid to develop a
coherent self-image (Coon et al., 2022). The inability to attain a stable identity leads to role
confusion and emotional problems. Social oppression, on the other hand, comprises factors such
as teasing and social norms. According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, adolescents
are likely to be in the conventional level of ethical reasoning, in which they are concerned with
the perception of others and with compliance with social expectations (Coon et al., 2022).
Bullying interferes with this process because the messages that adolescents receive from peers
are negative and result in hopelessness.
Moreover, according to Karen Horney's theory, primary anxiety stems from the fact that
people live in a hostile environment, which contributes to teenagers' emotional problems (Coon
et al., 2022). For instance, Wang (2016) described a real-life incident of a 13-year-old girl who
committed suicide because of racial and social prejudice against her perceived lesbianism,
implying the high cost of social hostility on adolescents' health. Thus, reducing the risk of teen
suicide is possible only through a complex strategy that takes into account both internal
dysphoria and external aggression. Thus, it is possible to design appropriate interventions for
helping at-risk teens and improve their ability to enhance relationships with peers by recognizing
these factors. Preventing bullying and addressing the issue of emotional distress is one way of
reducing the risks of teen suicide, and providing support through identity exploration and
counseling can go a long way in cushioning the effects of bullying.
Theories Explaining Adolescent Suicide
This paper examines how Kohlberg's stages of moral development, Gilligan's theory of
caring, and Erikson's psychosocial stages can be used to understand adolescent suicide. One
notable feature of Kohlberg's theory is that it makes societal norms and peers' approval the
primary focus of ethical reasoning. In adolescence, people can be in the 'conventional' stage,
which involves the need for approval by other people, especially peers (Coon et al., 2022). When
they are bullied, their rights are infringed in some way, and this triggers their sense of justice and
fairness, and this makes them feel helpless and hopeless. Caring, according to Gilligan, is based
on the relational aspect. Depressed youths who have no one to care for them or relate to
positively are more likely to think of suicide. The lack of a supportive atmosphere deprives them
of hope, and they feel there is no way out of their pain. Erikson's theory reveals the identity crisis
that is characteristic of teens, especially in the stage of "identity vs. role confusion" (Coon et al.,
2022). This crisis can be worsened by bullying, hence causing severe identity crises and
hopelessness. Young people who do not fit in society or who feel that they have in some way
failed in life may feel that suicide is a way of escaping from life and its pressures, especially
those exerted by society and peers. According to the contributions of Karen Horney, primary
anxiety stems from the hostility of the world, which escalates such challenges (Coon et al.,
2022). For example, Wang (2016) gives an example of a 13-year-old girl who committed suicide
due to racism and social stigma on her perceived sexual orientation, which demonstrates how
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social antagonism can negatively affect an adolescent's well-being. It is crucial to comprehend
these theories in order to comprehend the complex causes of adolescent suicide and to stress the
necessity to involve different approaches in prevention, such as the necessity of support in
relationships and the pressure of society.
Helping a Bullied Teen
For a teen who has been bullied, one can use Erikson's psychosocial stages theory to
assist the teenager. Erikson also noted that during adolescence, the stage is "identity versus role
confusion," wherein the adolescent searches for different roles and identities in order to build a
solid self-identity (Coon et al., 2022). Bullying can hinder this process in a big way and causes
identity confusion and emotional disturbance in learners. Thus, being a friend to a bullied teen,
they should be encouraged to embrace their identities without worrying about being mocked or
attacked. Programs to enhance self-esteem, resiliency, and peer relations should be developed.
Counseling services are helpful to adolescents by providing them with ways of handling their
experiences and helping them regain their confidence. Promoting participation in sports or clubs
will ensure that the bullied child has something to do to feel that he or she belongs to a group,
hence alleviating the effects of bullying. It also gives a platform for teenagers to share their
experiences and get support from peers who have gone through the same ordeal. They can help
develop a sense of belongingness, hence alleviating social isolation. Also, it is necessary to
educate parents, teachers, and peers on the effects of bullying and the need to prevent it.
Measures that focus on eradicating the cause of bullying, such as encouraging students to respect
each other, will reduce future occurrences. Erikson's theory also emphasizes that identity crises
are expected during adolescence but must be resolved. Thus, by giving all the needed aid and
assistance, we can ensure that bullied teenagers go through this critical developmental period
with more strength and better self-perception. This multi-faceted approach can effectively reduce
the impact of bullying and the possibility of teenage suicide.
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Reference
Coon, D., Mitterer, J.O., & Martini, T. (2022). Introduction to psychology: Gateways to
mind and behavior (16th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Wang, Y. (2016). After years of alleged bullying, an Ohio teen killed herself. Is her
school district responsible? The Washington Post.
