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Published on: August 16, 2019
Βullying's anatomy: How it affects brain structure and function. A systematic review
Christodoulos Komiotis1, Ioannis Mavridis2
1School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Bullying impacts adolescent brain structure and function, affecting both victims and perpetrators. Early identification of these brain changes can aid in preventing psychopathology and improving mental health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Bullying victimization is prevalent in adolescents, linked to anxiety and depression.
- Understanding the neurological impact of bullying is crucial for secondary prevention strategies.
- Previous research indicates significant sequelae associated with bullying experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and describe bullying-related morphological and functional changes in the human brain.
- To explore alterations in gray and white matter structures from an anatomical perspective.
- To identify key brain regions affected by bullying in victims and perpetrators.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted on the Pubmed/Medline database.
- 16 relevant articles were selected after meticulous screening.
- Included studies utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) techniques.
Main Results:
- Bullying alters gray and white matter morphology and function in both victims and perpetrators.
- Victims exhibit an atrophic, hyperactive orbitofrontal cortex and hypertrophic, hypoactive amygdalae.
- Bullies show hyperactive accumbens nuclei, with limbic system structures affected in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Bullying induces significant morphological and functional changes in the adolescent brain, particularly within the limbic system.
- Early detection of these neurobiological alterations can help prevent psychopathology.
- Intervention strategies informed by these findings may improve quality of life for victims and encourage help-seeking for bullies.
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