The Effects of Childhood Bullying on Adults

Can bad childhood experiences really harm you in later life? We take a look at the consequences

According to a 2015 Angus Reid poll, 75 per cent of Canadians are bullied at school. Unfortunately, these experiences don’t just impact us when we’re young.

Donna Marshall, a leading expert on workplace bullying and harassment, and CEO of BizLife Solutions in Toronto, says childhood bullying—whether at home or school—can also bleed into adult lives and relationships.

“It has a very profound psychological and emotional impact on people,” says Marshall, who explains that bullying often causes victims to dissociate from and normalize past trauma, feel victimized and powerless, or become a bully themselves.

In adulthood, this may materialize in myriad ways. Victims of childhood bullying may choose partners who are bullies, try to change a “bad” partner by being nicer to them, demonstrate symptoms of PTSD or disrespect others.

Because childhood traumas alter the way we think, Marshall recommends counselling as the most effective way to help us process the painful bullying experiences of our past and change our current behaviours in relationships. She also suggests reaching out to a support group through your family doctor or local hospital, or using other doctor-approved resources.