Dr. Avnish Jolly ,24 May:According to Recently published study in the Journal – Aggressive Behaviour. Pretty Girls more likely to be bullied. They wear branded dresses, spend most of the time in front of the mirror, but contrary to conventional understanding, teenage girls who consider themselves attractive are more likely to be the victims of emotionally damaging bullying – including being socially ostracised or having rumours spread about them, says a new research.
Lindsey Leenaars, PhD student, Educational Psychology, University of Alberta has completed a study that assessed what types of high school students are being indirectly victimised. This includes being involved in emotionally damaging scenarios such as receiving hurtful anonymous notes, being socially excluded, or having rumours spread about them, including threats of physical harm. She found the females who viewed themselves as attractive had a 35 per cent increased chance of being indirectly victimised.
Leenaars analysed data that was collected in Ontario in 2003. More than 2,300 students aged 12–18 filled out an anonymous questionnaire asking them questions, including how they rate their attractiveness, their sexual activity, their friendships and school social problems.
Conversely, for males who perceived themselves as good looking, their risk of being bullied decreased by 25 per cent. Leenaars also found older teens (aged 16–18) were at a 35 per cent increased risk of being victimised if they were sexually active.
According to Leenaars this information could be used to raise awareness amongst parents, teachers, counselors and policy makers. She adds it would also be helpful when schools are working on a variety of life skills and anti-bullying programmes to include all students, not just those who may be traditionally perceived as victims.
“The findings have important implications for the development of interventions designed to reduce peer victimisation, in that victims of indirect aggression may represent a broad group,” Leenaars said.