Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Cause or Effect of Bullying - Term Paper Example

al Affiliation: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Cause or Effect of Bullying The issue of post-traumatic stress disorder has had a detrimental effect on the performance of children at schools and likewise work related bullying and victimization has been a major pull back in undermining economic growth. According to statistics posted in the journal on “Post-Traumatic Symptoms among Victims of Workplace Bullying” there is a relative correlation between work related bullying and the performance of that industry (Matthiesen, & Einarsen, n.d, p 2). In the long run, dismal performance trickles down to choke the economic progress of a country. Likewise it has been observed that societies that have sidelined women because of male chauvinism face some social challenges that could be avoided through equity at work places. In this research therefore, the main problem under research entails identifying victims of bullying, supporting the topic with statistical evidence and identifying possible challenges that may have been deterrence into comprehensively undertaking this study. Given the current escalating rates of bullying that are being fuelled by social networks, unmonitored internet sources and exposure of children to negative media, then there is a dire need to face the problem help reform the bullies for the sake of our economies, social welfare, psychological integrity and personal security (Hyman, Cohen, & Mahon, 2003, p 61). The topic on traumatic stress disorder is so wide and therefore it is dependent on the area of specialization of a given psychologist. For that reason, we acknowledge the fact that not any single person can comprehensively cover such stress related topic. The essence of this research is to identify the causes and effects of bullying on children, employees, soldiers and army officers and any other person who may want a guide on how to protect their loved ones against victimization (Terranova, Boxer, & Morris, 2009, p 9). The focus of this research is inspired by the urgent need for self-esteem among the affected groups. It will also work as a reminder to the bullies that modern societies are getting more civilized and that such social injustices have no place in a civilized world. Among specific areas targeted by this report include cybercrime and how it engulfs bullying, how employers and bosses victimize employees to solicit sexual favors, and how employees bully each other as they climb up the corporate ladder (Rodríguez-Muñoz, Moreno-Jiménez, Sanz, & Garrosa, 2010, p 102). Psychologists have identified post-traumatic stress disorder to be inconsistent in terms of the percentage of people experiencing it. Likewise the percentage of individuals who develop this disorder attributed the causes to environmental and biological factors. in order for the research to be successful and in that it explains both predicative and contributory factors that cause post-traumatic stress disorder , there was need to use a sample population as a representative of the others affected. In the end, it was identified that the nature of biological and environmental factors interrelates to influence the development of this disorder. Given that post-traumatic stress disorder is an illness associated with anxiety especially after an individual has experienced a wounding experience such as sexual assault, combat exposure, life threatening situation or physical abuse then the research will be credible only if conducted on a sample population using people suffering from related disorders. In so doing, the psychologist must understand that not all victims of post-traumatic stress disorder are affected with the same magnitude. Moreover there are exceptional cases where some people are so enduring to an extent that they may be exposed to same levels of trauma but fail to develop this disorder. At this point, an explanation on this disorder is done from a genetics point of view. The research question given above is more concerned with identifying causes and effects that have been associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. The information given about the research criterion that was employed during data collection and analysis are relevant to the cause and effects attributed to the given stress disorder. First, data was collected using open questionnaires to ensure that sufficient information was collected for analysis. The data was then sampled and analyzed to come up with evidences in support of causes and effects of bullying at different phases of the society. According to the research, it was identified that among the symptoms that are identified among patients suffering from stress disorder include emotional numbness, anger, worries outburst, bad dreams or flashbacks, and constant attempts to avoid thoughts related to the trauma. In addition, the symptoms last for one month which means that psychologists can easily identify people suffering from this disorder. The research was also aided by secondary information collected from the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) which is a philanthropic organization that prides in supporting researchers under health related researches (Tehrani, 2004, p 55). They are also a likely beneficiary of the research findings since they are committed to treating and preventing stress or anxiety related disorders. Because of their support, the research is instrumental in not only identifying causes and effects of PTSD but treating and identifying possible risk factors that accelerate stress and trauma. The rationale behind this research paper is that it is based on scientific evidence rather than pure theory. A number of scientists have shown interest in undertaking studies focused on defining the genealogy of human beings and its relatedness to trauma. This is because the brain is a central nervous system responsible for creating memories of fear or anxiety. Therefore, this rationale can be justified by the fact that understanding the fundamental principles underlying the functioning of the brains is critical. Such studies have proved beneficial in understanding PTSD since the information gathered has been of help in finding new interventions focused on reducing post-traumatic stress disorder. So far, scientists have identified a protein molecule called stathmin which is responsible for forming memories related to fear (Kamen, Bergstrom, Mardini, Alhadi, Lee, Lazar, & ... Gore-felton, 2011, p 99). Secondly there is a chemical released by the brain called gastrin releasing peptide which is attributed to creating emotions in human beings. Further studies of the human brains are critical if this topic has to be fully covered. To some extent, bullying comes in handy in identifying the rate of release of this chemicals and hormones. There are differences that were identified in each individual such that variances in this brain structure may set the stage for stress without actual visible syndromes. The second rationale is related to the environment where factors such as head injury, childhood trauma or mental illness may intensify effects associated with PTSD (Penning, Bhagwanjee, & Govender, 2010, p 76). In the case of work related stress conditions which are associated to work place bullying, cognitive factors and personality traits are the determining factors. For instance personality influences the ability of a person to be optimistic or enduring when faced with traumatizing events. On the other hand, the research identified social factors as pertinent in helping people to cope with trauma. In the long run, biological factors and environmental factors interplay to form the basis of understanding causes of post-traumatic stress disorder. This research is justifiable by the fact that there is a missing link between causes, effects and treatment of PTSD. After identifying the two major causative groups for trauma patients, then the research is instrumental in helping psychologists identify suitable treatment mechanisms. Although several researches relating to this topic have been done before, but this specific research emphasizes the need for cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) which is educative on various ways of reacting to traumatic events (Idsoe, Dyregrov, & Cosmovici, 2010, p 8). A psychologist may then use this information to identify symptoms related to PTSD and bring them under control. References Hyman, I., Cohen, I., & Mahon, M. (2003). Student Alienation Syndrome: A Paradigm for Understanding the Relation between School Trauma and School Violence. California School Psychologist, 873-86. Idsoe, T., Dyregrov, A., & Cosmovici, E. (2010). School Bullying and PTSD Symptoms in a National Representative Sample. Washington, District of Columbia, US: American Psychological Association (APA). Kamen, C., Bergstrom, J., Mardini, M., Alhadi, F., Lee, S., Lazar, R., & ... Gore-felton, C. (2011). HIV-Positive Men With a History of Childhood Bullying Report PTSD Symptoms Above and Beyond the Effect of Exposure to Other Forms of Trauma. Washington, District of Columbia, US: American Psychological Association (APA). Matthiesen, S., & Einarsen, S. (n.d). Psychiatric distress and symptoms of PTSD among victims of bullying at work. Brunner / Routledge. doi:10.1080/03069880410001723558 Penning, S., Bhagwanjee, A., & Govender, K. (2010). Bullying boys: the traumatic effects of bullying in male adolescent learners. Journal Of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 22(2), 131 43.doi: 10.2989/17280583.2010.528580 Rodríguez-Muñoz, A., Moreno-Jiménez, B., Sanz Vergel, A., & Garrosa Hernández, E. (2010). Post-Traumatic Symptoms Among Victims of Workplace Bullying: Exploring Gender Differences and Shattered Assumptions. Journal Of Applied Social Psychology, 40(10), 2616-2635. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2010.00673.x Tehrani, N. (2004). Bullying: A Source of Chronic Post Traumatic Stress?. British Journal Of Guidance And Counselling, 32(3), 357-366. Terranova, A. M., Boxer, P., & Morris, A. (2009). Changes in Childrens Peer Interactions Following a Natural Disaster: How Predisaster Bullying and Victimization Rates Changed Following Hurricane  Katrina. Psychology In The Schools, 46(4), 333-347. Read More