Researchers noted that normal cortisol levels are highest in the early morning and decline as the day progresses. But when a person senses a threat or stress, cortisol levels rise. Prolonged exposure to the threat can eventually cause physical, emotional or social health damage. In addition, the researchers said, continued long-term stress such as that experienced from bullying may lead to diminished cortisol reactions -- or a kind of numb, desensitized reaction. Researcher found that bullying was indirectly linked to this hypocortisol reaction.
"Lunchtime is one of those less supervised periods when kids are more likely to be bullied," study co-author Richard Hazler, said in a press release. "One of the things we are trying to measure is not the reaction immediately following a bullying event, but instead the anticipatory anxiety that takes place with the approach of situations where bullying is more common occurs."
Anxiety may cause such symptoms as racing pulse, sweating, dry mouth, tremors and stomach upset. Children who are anxious may worry about situations before they even occur. They may worry about potential problems at school or when engaged in activities. Severe anxiety can interfere with a child's ability to live a productive life.
He added: "Even kids who are not bullied suffer from such anticipatory stress because they anticipate watching their friends getting bullied and worry that they might be next."
The researchers concluded that "while exposure to a one-time or very rare bullying episode might cause higher cortisol levels, exposure to bullying on a chronic basis would be associated with hypocortisol levels."
Results of the study were presented at the recent American Counseling Association Convention in Detroit.
Copyright 2007 iVillage Total Health.
