A new study shows that being bullied by peers during adolescence can lead to lasting negative views of oneself. The research, led by Jonathan Santo, Ph.D., followed over 300 adolescents in Curitiba, Brazil, over two school years to examine how peer victimization shapes self-perception.
What the Study Found
Students reported how often they were teased, insulted, or made fun of in their first year of school. Researchers also assessed how students saw themselves—using statements like ‘I think I’m not a good person’—and tracked how those views changed over time.
Teens who faced frequent peer victimization in Year 1 were much more likely to have negative self-portrayals a year later. This link stayed strong even when earlier self-worth was controlled for, showing past bullying independently harms long-term self-esteem.
But when data from Year 2 was included—showing students’ peer experiences that year—the connection between early bullying and later negative views weakened or vanished. This means ongoing peer mistreatment, not isolated incidents, drives lasting self-perception issues.
Why This Matters
Adolescence is a key time for forming identity and self-concept. Teens rely heavily on peer feedback. When those interactions are consistently negative, they may feel inadequate or unworthy.
This gap between how teens see themselves and how peers treat them shows bullying has deep emotional effects.
Some teens are especially vulnerable. This may come from personality, isolation, or emotional sensitivity. Other factors—like family or income—also shape how teens view themselves.
How the Study Worked
They were then re-interviewed one year later to assess changes in self-perception. This longitudinal design helped track how past bullying affects current views.
By comparing Year 1 victimization with Year 2 self-portrayals, researchers found that early bullying predicted negative views—but only when concurrent victimization in Year 2 was not included. This shows the effect is not one-time, but builds over time.
Limitations of the Study
The study did not test whether poor self-worth leads to more bullying. Some research shows a bidirectional link: teens with low self-esteem are more likely to be targeted, and bullying can cause teens to feel rejected and fail.
Because the sample was from Curitiba, Brazil, cultural differences in school life or social norms may affect how bullying plays out. Most prior research came from North America and Europe. So, the results may not fully apply to other regions.
What This Means for Parents and Educators
Parents and educators can take practical steps to support teens facing bullying. Listen closely to how teens talk about themselves. Phrases like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘Nobody likes me’ may signal real struggles with self-worth.
Encourage teens to explore new interests, build skills, and celebrate personal wins. Activities like art, sports, or academics can show competence and build confidence.
Help teens form strong, positive relationships with trusted adults—like teachers or mentors. Feeling accepted and valued can be especially powerful for those who’ve been bullied.
It’s vital to teach teens that their worth isn’t based on how others treat them. Schools and families must create safe, respectful environments where all students feel included.
What’s Next?
The research team plans to repeat this study in other countries. Comparing results from Brazil with those in North America, Europe, and beyond will help identify universal patterns and cultural differences in peer dynamics and self-perception.
Until then, the study clearly shows that ongoing peer bullying can deeply affect how teens see themselves. It calls for early action to stop bullying and for intentional, empathetic support of emotional development in schools and homes.
For more on adolescent development and peer relationships, see the original research at Psychology Today.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: original publisher image. Via original publisher. Image source
