SpringerLink
Log in

Hegemonic Views of Masculinity and Bullying: Clinical Work with Men Who were Bullied as Children

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clinical Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bullying behavior and the impact of bullying behavior on children and adolescents has received considerable attention in empirical and clinical literature over the last two decades. Increasingly, empirical research is demonstrating that the psychological effects of being bullied persist into adulthood. There is less literature available that describes clinical processes with adults who were bullied as children. After reviewing the literature that discusses the long-term effects on adults of being victimized by bullies, and the literature that describes hegemonic views of masculinity, this paper gives a detailed clinical illustration in which the victimization of the client as a child becomes a core feature of the psychotherapy. Of importance, the client needed to reshape his view of masculinity as he worked through the trauma of having been bullied as a child. Recommendations for further work are given.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Identifying information about the client has been altered to protect his anonymity.

  2. See Basham and Miehls (2004) for a description of Phase-Oriented Trauma Therapy. The first phase of clinical work is ego-supportive with the client building the internal and external resources necessary to do more intensive uncovering and working through of traumatic experiences (2nd phase). The last phase of the treatment consolidates the psychotherapeutic work by establishing healthier relationships with an enhanced sense of self and increased self-esteem.

References

  • Allison, S., Roeger, L., & Reinfeld-Kirkman, N. (2009). Does school bullying affect adult health? Population survey of health-related quality of life and past victimization. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43, 1163–1170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arseneajult, L., Bowes, L., & Shakoor, S. (2010). Bullying victimization in youths and mental health problems: Much ado about nothing? Psychological Medicine, 40, 717–729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basham, K., & Miehls, D. (2004). Transforming the legacy: Couple therapy with survivors of childhood trauma. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bejerot, S., Edgar, J., & Humble, M. (2011). Poor performance in physical education—A risk factor for bully victimization: A case–control study. Foundation Acta Paediatrica, 100, 413–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bejerot, S., & Humble, M. (2013). Childhood clumsiness and peer victimization: A case–control study of psychiatric patients. BioMed Central Psychiatry, 13(68), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bejerot, S., Plenty, S., Humble, A., & Humble, M. (2013). Poor motor skills: A risk marker for bully victimization. Aggressive Behavior, 39, 453–461.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Besag, V. (1989). Bullies and victims in schools. A guide to understanding and management. England: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkett, M., & Espelage, D. (2015). Homophobic name-calling, peer-groups, and masculinity: The socialization of homophobic behavior in adolescents. Social Development, 24(1), 184–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blosnich, J., & Bossarte, R. (2011). Low-level violence in schools: Is there an association between school safety measures and peer victimization? Journal of School Health, 81(2), 107–113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlisle, N., & Rofes, E. (2007). School bullying: Do adult survivors perceive long-term effects? Traumatology, 13(1), 16–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciccheti, D., & Lynch, M. (1995). Failures in the expectable environment and their impact on individual development: The case of child maltreatment. In D. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology: Vol. 2: Risk, disorder and adaptation. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, T. (2009). Negotiating the field of masculinity: The production and reproduct8on of multiple dominant masculinities. Men and Masculinities, 12(1), 30–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. (1987). Gender and power. Sydney: Allen and Unwin Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connell, R. (1995). Masculinities. Cambridge: Polity Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, E., & Beaver, K. (2014). Considering the genetic and environmental overlap between bullying victimization, delinquency, and symptoms of depression/anxiety. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(1), 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Copeland, W., Wolke, D., Angold, A., & Costello, E. (2013). Adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence. Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry, 70(4), 419–426.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Copeland, W., Wolke, D., Lereya, S., Shanahan, L., Worthman, C., & Costello, E. (2014). Childhood bullying involvement predicts low-grade systemic inflammation into adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 111(21), 7570–7575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Courtenay, W. H. (2000). Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men’s well-being: A theory of gender and health. Social Science and Medicine, 50, 1385–1401.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, W., & Peppler, D. (2007). Understanding bullying: From research to practice. Canadian Psychology, 48(2), 86–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emslie, C., Ridge, D., Ziebland, S., & Hunt, K. (2006). Men’s accounts of depression: Reconstructing or resisting hegemonic masculinity? Social Science and Medicine, 62, 2246–2257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Espelage, D., & Swearer, S. (2003). Research on school bullying and victimization: What have we learned and where do we go from here? School Psychology Review, 32(3), 365–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fite, P. J., & Colder, C. R. (2007). Proactive and reactive aggression and peer delinquency: Implications for prevention and intervention. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 27(2), 223–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, K. (Ed.). (1997). The physical self: From motivation to well-being. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, P., Teese, R., & Sonn, C. (2014). Masculine identity negotiation in everyday Australian life: An ethno-discursive study in a gym setting. International Journal of Men’s Health, 13(1), 42–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladstone, G., Parker, G., & Malhi, G. (2006). Do bullied children become anxious and depressed adults? A cross-sectional investigation of the correlates of bullying and anxious depression. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 194(3), 201–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, S. (1996). What is this “black” in black popular culture? In D. Morley & K. H. Chen (Eds.), Stuart Hall: Critical dialogues in cultural studies. London: Routledge. (Original work published 1992).

  • Hammer, J. H., & Good, G. E. (2010). Positive psychology: An empirical examination of beneficial aspects of endorsement of masculine norms. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 11(4), 303–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010). Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14, 206–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiselica, M., & Englar-Carlson, M. (2010). Identifying, affirming, and building upon male strengths: The positive psychology/positive masculinity model of psychotherapy with boys and men. Psychotherapy, Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 47(3), 276–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klomek, A., Kleinman, M., Altschuler, E., Marrocco, F., Amakakawa, L., & Gould, M. (2013). Suicidal adolescents’ Experiences with bullying perpetration and victimization during high school as risk factors for later depression and suicidality. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, S37–S42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, R. M., & Limber, S. P. (2013). Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, S13–S20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, H. S. (2015). Languages perform us: Decolonizing options for multilingual identities. Qualitative Inquiry, 21(3), 128–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpulainen, K., Rasanen, E., & Puura, K. (2001). Psychiatric disorders and the use of mental health services among children involved in bullying. Aggressive Behavior, 27(2), 102–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leach, F. (2003). Learning to be violent: The role of the school in develo** adolescent gendered behaviour. Compare, 33(3), 385–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, E., & Troop-Gordon, W. (2011). Peer socialization of masculinity and femininity: Differential effects of overt and relational forms of peer victimization. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 29, 197–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malove, S. (2014). Using relational theory to treat adolescent girls victimized by social aggression. Clinical Social Work Journal, 42, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, R., Antony, M., Summerfeldt, L., Liss, A., & Swinson, R. (2003). Preliminary examination of the relationship between anxiety disorders in adults and self-reported history of teasing or bullying experiences. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 32(4), 187–193.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Messerschmidt, J. W. (2012). Engendering gendered knowledge: Assessing the academic appropriation of hegemonic masculinity. Men and Masculinities, 15(1), 56–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishna, F. (2012). Bullying. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mynard, H., Joseph, S., & Alexander, J. (2000). Peer-victimization and posttraumatic stress in adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 29, 815–821.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nahon, D., & Lander, N. (2014). Working with men in individual psychotherapy from an integrity model perspective: The unsung heroes. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 22(3), 194–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nansel, T. R., Overpeck, M., Pilla, R. S., Ruan, W. J., Simons-Mortonb, B., & Scheidt, P. (2001). Bullying behaviours among US youth: Prevelance and association with psychosocial adjustment. Journal of the American Medical Association, 285(16), 2094–2100.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1978). Aggression in schools: Bullies and whip** boys. Oxford: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patchin, J., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying among adolescents: Implications for empirical research. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, 431–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poulsen, J., & Kashy, D. (2011). Two sides of the ostracism coin: How sources and targets of social exclusion perceive themselves and one another. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 15(4), 457–470.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman, C., & Taylor, C. (2013). A multilevel assessment of school climate, bullying victimization, and physical activity. Journal of School Health, 83(6), 400–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, M., Korn, S., Smith, P., Hunter, S., Mora-Merchan, J., Singer, M., et al. (2004). Lonely in the crowd: Recollections of bullying. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22, 379–394.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sentenac, M., Arnaud, C., Gavin, A., Molcho, M., Gabhainn, S., & Godeau, E. (2012). Peer victimization among school-aged children with chronic conditions. Epidemiology Review, 34, 120–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shields, A., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Parental maltreatment and emotion dysregulation as risk factors for bullying and victimization in middle childhood. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 30(30), 349–363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slee, P. T. (1995). Peer victimization and its relationship to depression among Australian primary school students. Personality and Individual Differences, 18(1), 57–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sourander, A., Ronning, J., Brunstein-Klomek, A., Gyllenberg, D., Kumpulainen, K., Niemela, S., et al. (2009). Childhood bullying behavior and later psychiatric hospital and psychopharmacologic treatment. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66(9), 1005–1012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinfeldt, J., Vaughan, E., La Follette, J., & Steinfeldt, M. (2012). Bullying among adolescent football players: Role of masculinity and moral atmosphere. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 13(4), 340–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takizawa, R., Maughan, B., & Arseneault, L. (2014). Adult health outcomes of childhood bullying victimization: Evidence from a five-decade longitudinal British birth cohort. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(7), 777–784.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tehrani, N. (Ed.). (2001). Building a culture of respect: Managing bullying at work. New York: Taylor & Francis Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tritt, C., & Duncan, R. (1997). The relationship between childhood bullying and young adult self-esteem and loneliness. Journal of Humanistic Education and Development, 36, 37–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Twemlow, S., & Sacco, F. (1996). A clinical and interactionist perspective on the bully-victim-bystander relationship. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 60(3), 296–314.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waddell, M. (2007). Grou** or ganging: The psychodynamics of bullying. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 23(2), 189–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolke, D., Copeland, W., Angold, A., & Costello, E. (2013). Impact of bullying in childhood on adult health, wealth, crime, and social outcomes. Psychological Science, 24(10), 1958–1970.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, MA, 01063, USA

    Dennis Miehls

Authors
  1. Dennis Miehls
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dennis Miehls.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Miehls, D. Hegemonic Views of Masculinity and Bullying: Clinical Work with Men Who were Bullied as Children. Clin Soc Work J 45, 56–64 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-016-0581-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-016-0581-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation