FROM SHADOWS TO SPOTLIGHT: THE HIDDEN MENTAL HEALTH COSTS OF BULLYING IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The motivation of this research is to examine the effect of multiple types of bullying on the mental health of students in public universities in Punjab, Pakistan. The researchers used quantitative research method & positivism philosophy. The current research sample consisted of 300 students from two well-known public universities, namely Thal University Bhakkar and the University of Sargodha. To test the study's hypothesis, the researchers used SPSS software. The findings of the current study indicated that there is a significant and negative effect of physical bullying on the mental health of the respondents. Moreover, current research indicates that social bullying has a significant and negative effect on respondents' mental health. Results indicated that there is a significant and negative effect of cyberbullying on the mental health of the respondents. These findings put forth a critical point: the universities should take up anti-bullying measures and provide support for mental health to mitigate the effects. From this research, some insights come out as to how the policymakers, educators and mental health professionals could promote student welfare & reduce bullying incidences in academic settings.