Bullying, depressive symptoms, and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents

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Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is marked by intense physical and emotional changes, making young people vulnerable to bullying, body dissatisfaction, and depression—interrelated factors that negatively impact their mental health. Objective: To describe scientific evidence addressing possible associations between bullying experiences, depressive symptoms, and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents. Method: This is an integrative literature review, structured in six stages using the PICO method. Data were collected from the SciELO, PubMed, and Lilacs databases, using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS/MeSH): Adolescents, Depression, Bullying, Body Dissatisfaction, with no language or time restrictions. Results and Discussion: A total of 517 studies were found in the databases, with 21 selected for investigating the relationship between bullying, body dissatisfaction, and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Body dissatisfaction, especially among girls, was associated with depressive disorders and identified as a relevant factor in increasing depressive symptoms. Although bullying tends to decrease with age, it remains a significant factor in promoting body dissatisfaction and exacerbating depressive symptoms among adolescents. Conclusion: The review indicates a possible association between body dissatisfaction, bullying, and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Despite the limitations of cross-sectional studies, school-based preventive interventions have proven effective in reducing bullying and promoting mental health in this population.

Keywords: Adolescents; Depression; Bullying; Body dissatisfaction.

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Author Biographies

Suyhanne Oliveira, UFPE

Discente (Graduação em bacharelado de enfermagem) Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE) Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Alisson Vinicius dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)

Mestre em neuropsiquiatria e neurociência do comportamento pela Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE); Professor substituto do departamento de enfermagem da UFPE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil.

Rosana Christine Cavalcanti Ximenes, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE)

Docente Permanente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento) Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). Recife. Pernambuco. Brasil.

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Published

2025-12-23

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2025): Revista Pró-UniverSUS V 16 N 3

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Suyhanne Jeronimo de Oliveira, Alisson Vinicius dos Santos, Rosana Christine Cavalcanti Ximenes

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