What does it feel like to be bullied?

In an Australian study, teenage girls and teachers were invited to talk and write about verbal and psychological bullying (for example deliberately keeping someone out of a group). One of the things they covered was the effect it had on victims. Effects mentioned included: confusion (asking 'why me?'), denial (pretending it's not happening), then pain (for example fear, anxiety, hurt, low self esteem, depression and a drop in self confidence).
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Article details

L Owens, R Shute, P Slee (2000) ' "Guess What I Just Heard!": Indirect Aggression Among Teenage Girls in Australia' in 'Aggressive Behavior', Volume 26, pages 67-83. This journal is very hard to get hold of in Scotland, but the article can be ordered from a local library (on inter-library loan) for a small fee.
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