What are risk factors for being bullied?

Those who are at risk of being bullied may have one or more risk factors1,2,3:

  • Are seen as different from their peers (e.g., overweight, underweight, wear their hair differently, wear different clothing or wear glasses, or come from a different race/ethnicity)
  • Are seen as weak or not able to defend themselves
  • Are depressed, anxious, or have low self-esteem
  • Have few friends or are less popular
  • Do not socialize well with others
  • Suffer from an intellectual or developmental disability

Citations

  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Who is at risk? Risk factors. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/factors/index.html
  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Who is at risk? Considerations for specific groups. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/index.html
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2006). Teasing and bullying of obese and overweight children: How parents can help. Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/obesity/Pages/Teasing-and-Bullying.aspx External Web Site Policy
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