Tipos de acoso escolar y la depresión en adolescentes

Abstract

Bullying has a significant impact on adolescents’ mental health, manifesting in both direct and indirect ways, and is closely linked to levels of depression. Objective. To analyze the relationship between different types of bullying and depression among adolescents in school, defining both forms of aggression and assessing levels of depression related to victimization by bullying. Methodology. A descriptive and qualitative literature review was conducted through systematic searches of scientific databases, using controlled descriptors from the MeSH and DeCS thesauri and Boolean operators. Studies published between 2021 and 2026 were included, with study populations consisting of adolescents aged 10 to 19. Results: The findings showed that direct bullying was more common among males, particularly verbal and physical aggression, while indirect bullying, such as cyberbullying and relational bullying, predominated among females. Both forms were associated with mild-to-severe depressive symptoms, including self-harm and suicidal ideation. Self-esteem, social support, and emotional regulation acted as protective factors and mediating variables. Conclusion: A close, multifactorial relationship was demonstrated between the various forms of school bullying and the presence of depression among school-aged adolescents. These results highlight the need to implement well-structured preventive strategies tailored to the type of bullying, age, and gender, considering the family context, the educational environment, and mental health services, with an emphasis on early detection.