Bullied Premature Kids Are At Higher Risk Of Mental Health Problem

Premature babies are more likely to be bullied in school, leading to mental health issues, according to a recent study which was published in the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers from McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine have been following 179 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies (born with 2.2 pounds weight or less) for almost 40 years. They interviewed the said children at the age of 8, 22, 26, 29 and 39.

After the investigation, researchers discovered ELBW babies were more likely to be bullied, compared to babies born at normal birthweight. They also found out those premature kids who were bullied were nearly twice as likely to develop mental health issues such as ADHD, antisocial behavior and anxiety.

"Being bullied has a significant and lasting impact for those preemies, even into their 30s," said the lead author of the study, Kimberly Day, Ph.D., Lawson Postdoctoral Fellow at the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.

"This has important implications for parents, teachers and clinicians who need to be aware of the long-term effects of peer victimization on mental health," Kimberly noted. Furthermore, she said adults should protect the said children from bullying.

Moreover, the study found out by the time the bullied ELBW children reach their 30s, they were up to 3 times more likely to develop anxiety disorders such as social phobia and panic disorder. "This is the first study to fully illustrate the profound and long-lasting effects of bullying on the mental health of preterm survivors," said the senior author of the study, Dr. Ryan Van Lieshout, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural neurosciences at McMaster. 

Thus, Dr. Debra Pepler, who was not involved in the research told The Hamilton Spector, the findings are "extremely valuable." She also said that the study serves as a wake-up call for adults to reach out and protect the children, especially the vulnerable ones.