Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “A lack of warmth in the family can lead to both perpetration and victimization”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan was a live guest on the TGRT Haber program Bilmedikleriniz, where he shared insights on the growing issue of peer bullying. Emphasizing that peer bullying has become a global problem, Tarhan supported his remarks with recent statistics. He noted that substance use often triggers bullying behavior among youth, leading to uncontrolled actions. He also pointed out that the absence of a warm environment within the family may predispose children to become either perpetrators or victims.
Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan made evaluations on the subject of "Peer Bullying, Which Has Increased Recently".
“Peer bullying has become a global issue”
In the live broadcast on TGRT Haber, Prof. Tarhan emphasized the rise in peer bullying and stated that “Peer bullying has become a global problem, and we have seen a clear increase in recent years. Statistics from the U.S. show a rise starting around 2011, which is not only in peer bullying, but also in youth suicide attempts and cases of depression. This trend is closely linked to the widespread use of social media. Digital platforms and certain changes brought on by the pandemic have also played a role. Not every child becomes a bully. When we examine family backgrounds, we often see inconsistency in parental behavior. Another pattern emerges with children who have experienced trauma. Children who learn to use violence as a method of solving problems are more likely to engage in bullying. It is rare that this turns into more severe outcomes like homicide, but it can happen.”
Substance use leads to uncontrolled behavior in teens
Speaking about the link between substance abuse and bullying, Tarhan explained that “Even in teens who do not naturally exhibit aggressive tendencies, substance use combined with the struggles of adolescence can lead to loss of self-control. There are both visible and invisible causes here. Visible ones include external societal influences and digital platforms. The invisible causes stem from psychological vulnerability, which children do not know how to respond when faced with challenges. Their inability to cope with trauma plays a key role in the rise of peer bullying. For this reason, peer bullying is common.”
Children are learning to use violence as a conflict-resolution strategy
Tarhan highlighted the importance of quality time between parents and children and stated that “What we frequently see in children who are bullied is a lack of affection and attention at home, combined with overly strict parenting. When these two factors come together, children learn to use violence as a way to solve problems. Children who are overly criticized, suffer from low self-esteem, or feel psychologically inadequate often cannot defend themselves. As a result, they become easy targets for others and fall into the role of the victim and often without realizing it. This is why parents’ attitudes and the quality—not just the quantity—of time spent with children are so important. Parents can be working, but it is essential that the time they spend with their children is meaningful and interactive; however, not just sitting in the same room, but actually engaging in real dialogue.”
“A lack of warmth in the family leads to both perpetration and victimization”
Tarhan also warned about comparing teenagers, a common trigger for emotional outbursts and concluded his remarks as follows: “One of the key reasons for anger outbursts in adolescents is being compared to others. Fathers often say things like, ‘When I was your age, I was doing this or that,’ comparing themselves to their children. However, what bothers teenagers the most is being compared to their peer, or even their own parents. Parents must realize they are no longer living through that phase themselves, and should approach their children accordingly. If the home is not perceived as a safe space, this becomes a major factor. In short, the lack of a warm and secure environment within the family can lead a child to become either a perpetrator or a victim.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)