Bullying in Oman: How Traditional and Online Harassment Affect Teens

Teens in Oman face bullying both in person and online. A recent study looked at how these experiences impact their mental health, behavior, and school performance. Researchers studied 1204 students aged 14-15. They found three groups: those not bullied, those bullied traditionally, and those bullied both ways. The students who weren't bullied had the best mental health and grades. They showed fewer signs of anxiety, depression, or acting out. Their school performance was also the highest among the groups. Interestingly, they were less likely to help others. Those who faced traditional bullying had moderate issues. Their mental health and grades were worse than those not bullied, but better than those bullied both ways. The worst off were the dual victims. They experienced both traditional and cyberbullying. These teens had the highest levels of mental health struggles and behavioral issues. They also had the lowest grades. Surprisingly, they were more likely to help others, possibly as a coping mechanism. This study shows that bullying, whether in person or online, has real effects. It's important to address both types of bullying to support teens' well-being and success in school.