BULLYING AND SUICIDALITY IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Introduction: The episodes of violence and aggression in schools is a common and growing in frequency phenomenon. Research has shown that the engagement with school bullying is a major risk factor as far as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are concerned. The aim was to review literature about school bullying and cyberbullying as well as the suicidality in children and adolescents.  Material and Methods: It was used bibliography search in the databases PubMed and Scopus, reviews of the last five years and some reference textbooks and reports of official government bodies such as the CDC.  Results: The brief review has highlighted the scale and the characteristics of the phenomenon of bullying as well as the characteristics of the correlation between bullying and suicidality. The positive correlations of the involvement in both school and cyberbullying with suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior were emphasized. Stronger correlations show the bully/ victims with suicidality. Finally, concomitant victimization by school and cyberbullying increases exponentially the correlations with suicidality. Conclusions: Future research would benefit from the analysis of the longitudinal impact of bullying on young people in terms of suicidal ideation and behaviors towards better understanding of the temporary or permanent establishment of that association. Efforts should continue in identifying and helping those involved with both types of bullying, as well as to establish well functioning prevention and intervention programs.