Bullies - What Role Do ATs Play to Decrease Bullying Behavior?

Much has been written about within the last year about bullies and the impact they have on victims.  We know from the literature that bullying has profound effects for both the bully and the victim.  In addition, we know that forms of bullying actually vary between genders (ie. boys being more physical and girls bullying by social isolation and exclusionary behaviors).

When we think about who the aggressors are, many times we visualize the older, bigger kids who threaten the smaller kids to 'give me your lunch money, or else.' This study suggests that "It's really not the kids that are psychologically troubled, who are on the margins or the fringes of the school's social life. It's the kids right in the middle, at the heart of things ... often, typically highly, well-liked popular kids who are engaging in these behaviors."

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/us/ac-360-bullying-study/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

The research suggests that kids are actually have a dual role - they are both the bully and the victim.  The extent to what role they play, is based upon their hierarchy in their social circle.  The study suggests that often the biggest offenders are the popular kids.  Interesting the study also pointed out that most of the behavior is not identified to adults with 81% percent of aggressive incidents never reported.

The study also identifies the findings have been similar in other geographical settings of the U.S.  The author also states that "Family background of kids does not really seem to matter in their aggressive behavior. Instead, what really matters is where they are located in the school hierarchy," Faris said. He said he believes the patterns, "arise in a wide range of schools across the country regardless of what community they may be in."

So what does this mean for us as athletic trainers?  Do we have a role in preventing bullying?  My answer is that we do.  In fact, we may find it difficult to believe that the popular, well-liked student-athlete is also one of the biggest offenders to other students.  Within our professional practice it is identified that we need to treat others with respect.  I believe that we also need to ensure that we create an environment of safety for all of our patients who come into our facility.  That would mean designing, implementing and reinforcing an acceptable code of conduct for both patient and practitioner to ensure all feel the very facility in which they come to 'heal' their injury, is in fact a safe place that 'heals' their body.