title: Sticks and stones: the NP's role with bullies and victims.
abstract: Bullying is a worldwide problem that can create negative lifelong consequences for both bullies and victims. Victims of bullies can suffer from low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, all problems that may carry into adulthood. The academic progress of victims may be impaired, and they may find themselves isolated because their peers fear losing status or being bullied themselves. Bullies may develop conduct disorders and delinquent behaviors during their teen years, as well as serious antisocial and criminal behavior in adulthood. The majority of bullies remain bullies throughout their lives, cherishing the power and control over others that their behavior evokes. Nurse practitioners play a critical role in the identification of both bullies and victims and can be very instrumental in both decreasing and preventing bullying behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA. maryswrite@aol.com
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Muscari
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D012307:Risk Factors; D012380:Role; D012919:Social Behavior; D014754:Violence