Liputanntb.com – Indonesia – In the latest issue of the Professional Health Journal (Volume 5, No. 2), Yusfina Himayanti and her team from Nahdlatul Ulama University, West Nusa Tenggara, shed light on a critical issue affecting adolescents worldwide: the connection between bullying and suicidal tendencies. This qualitative study explores the experiences of four teenagers who were victims of bullying and subsequently attempted suicide.
The study utilized an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA), allowing participants to share their personal narratives about the emotional toll of peer bullying. The findings revealed recurring themes of hurt, hopelessness, and helplessness. These emotions stemmed from physical and psychological abuse by peers, which often left the victims feeling trapped and powerless.
Key Findings:
- Bullying Defined: According to the KBBI, bullying involves repeated physical, verbal, or social aggression intended to harm others. In this study, bullying by peers at school played a pivotal role in driving participants toward suicidal thoughts.
- Psychological Impacts: Victims reported feelings of sadness, anxiety, discomfort, and low self-esteem. Socially, they became isolated, avoided group activities, and struggled with academic performance.
- Adaptation Mechanisms: While some participants remained silent and resigned to their fate, others expressed feelings of anger and confusion, illustrating diverse coping mechanisms.
- Cyberbullying Risk: Supporting findings from the Cyberbullying Research Center, the study emphasized that online harassment exacerbates the risk of suicidal ideation.
Discussion and Implications
This research underscores the urgent need for systemic interventions in schools to address bullying. It calls for creating a supportive environment where victims can seek help without fear of stigma. Additionally, the findings align with global studies that link bullying to long-term psychological trauma and suicide risks, particularly in male adolescents.