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The Effects of Bullying: Biblical Integration
Bullying can be defined as a repeated pattern of aggression with the explicit intent to
harm another person (Prino et al., 2019). Through bullying an individual can develop
alexithymia which is the inability to recognize or verbalize one’s own feelings (Prino et al.,
2019). Taking away an individual’s need to belong can lead to internal and external symptoms as
well as psychological stagnation (Prino et al., 2019). School belongingness was found to be
negatively correlated to mental illness and loneliness (Arslan, 2021). Unfortunately, the LGBTQ
community is overwhelmingly more likely to be affected by bullying (Wang et al., 2018).
Homophobic victimization manifested in depression and poor physical health (Wang et al.,
2018). Researchers found that the combined effects of traditional bullying and cyber bullying
increased the severity of the symptoms and physical pain later in life (Wang et al., 2018).
Migraines, abdominal pain, and self-destructive behaviors have been associated with
victimization (Hendricks & Tanga, 2019). The intense psychological stress caused by bullying
lead many students to self destructive behaviors such as skipping school to avoid torment
(Hendricks & Tanga, 2019). Researchers concluded that bullying infringes on learners rights to
education, safety, and future career goals (Hendricks & Tanga, 2019). Even brief social
ostracism can have an effect on self-regulation and increase activity in the area of the brain that
activates physical pain (Myers & Twenge, 2019). But social supports act as a buffer against the
negative effects of bullying (Wang et al., 2018). Researchers hypothesized that victims of
bullying would display more severe abnormalities in white matter integrity (Graziano et al.,
2019). These findings were consistent with studies conducted on the effects of childhood trauma
and white matter integrity (Graziano et al., 2019). They showed that because white mater growth
occurs during adolescence, structural changes in the brain can be effected by the experience of
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bullying (Graziano et al., 2019).Humans have a psychological need to belong to a group or a
mate and when they do belong they tend to be happier and healthier (Myers & Twenge, 2019).
Biblical Worldview Integration
The Bible never directly mentions bullying but Jesus commanded his followers to “love
your neighbor as yourself” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Mark 12:31). Because God
created humans in His image (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Genesis 1:26), everyone
has inherent value and is worthy of dignity. As Christians, we are called to love one another as
God loves us. 1 John 4:20 states, “If anyone says ‘I love God’, and hates his brother, he is a liar;”
(English Standard Version Bible, 2001). The Bible makes no allowances for bullying or
belittling one of God’s children. Christians should consistently ask God to guide them in all their
ways. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (English
Standard Version Bible, 2001, Psalms 139:23). Hate is not a part of the Christian faith and so it
should never be practiced in forms like bullying. God knows our deepest thoughts and desires
and the hatred associated with bullying is displeasing to Him. In fact, the Bible encourages us to
seek justice and defend those who are oppressed. “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001,
Psalms 82:3). Unfortunately, in our fallen world, bullying is still a persistent problem among all
of God’s children. When Christians are exposed to the ugliness and torment of bullying,
remembering that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (English Standard Version Bible, 2001,
Psalms 139:13) can be of some comfort. The Christian response to bullying is not the worldly
response. Christians are taught not to seek vengeance or retribution.“Repay no one evil for evil,
but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all” (English Standard Version Bible,
2001, Romans 12:17). God is the only one who can judge our sins. Instead we are taught to repay
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our bully with love and prayers. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Matthew 5:44). Kindness is more likely
to overcome evil than continuing wrongdoings. Bullying effects everyone involved including the
perpetrator. Researchers found that students who were ordered to ostracize other students were
equally distressed by the exchange and subsequently felt less human (Feist et. al., 2021).
Christian love and compassion should be shown to bullies so that they can feel accepted and less
alone. Reminding bullies of their intrinsic value and social worth can encourage them to stop
bullying others. It can be easy to demonize a bully but in reality “all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Romans 3:23). Everyone on Earth is
born a sinner and needs salvation through Jesus Christ. Empathizing with a bully and extending
God’s compassion and grace is a great way to start healing.
Conclusion
Bullying, whether in person or online, has detrimental effects on an individual’s physical
well-being and psychological processing. Bullying not only affects an individuals future
academic and career success (Hendricks & Tanga, 2019), it also affects structural changes in the
brain (Graziano et al., 2019). Being bullied has long lasting effects not only on the individual but
on our society as a whole. Along with counseling and prevention services, love and prayer is
needed to reduce the toll of bullying. We should continue to ask God to search our hearts and
souls to only do what is pleasing to Him. Scripture encourages us to defend those who are bullied
but to pray for the bully. The cycle of bullying hurts everyone involved and it can only be
stopped with compassion and understanding. The human need to belong is so fundamental in our
wiring that when that need is unfulfilled, individuals can lose self-control and manifest their pain
in self-destructive ways. Social supports can inhibit the effects of bullying on the victim but, just
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References
Arslan, G. (2021). School belongingness, well-being, and mental health among adolescents:
exploring the role of loneliness. Australian Journal of Psychology, 73(1), 70–80.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2021.1904499
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Feist, J., Feist, G., & Roberts, T. (2021). Theories of Personality (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill
Education.
Graziano, R. C., Bruce, S. E., Paul, R. H., Korgaonkar, M. S., & Williams, L. M. (2019). The
effects of bullying in depression on white matter integrity. Behavioural Brain Research,
363, 149–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.054
Hendricks, E. A., & Tanga, P. T. (2019). Effects of Bullying on the Psychological Functioning of
Victims. Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, 31(1).
https://doi.org/10.25159/2415-5829/3939
Prino, L. E., Longobardi, C., Fabris, M. A., Parada, R. H., & Settanni, M. (2019). Effects of
Bullying Victimization on Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms: The Mediating
Role of Alexithymia. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(9), 2586–2593.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01484-8
Wang, C. C., Lin, H. C., Chen, M. H., Ko, N. Y., Chang, Y. P., Lin, I. M., & Yen, C. F. (2018).
Effects of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying in childhood on depression,
anxiety, and physical pain in emerging adulthood and the moderating effects of social
support among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. Neuropsychiatric Disease and
