Monozygotic twins discordant for being bullied: a step closer to understanding the biology of victimization.

摘要

Bullying is a pattern of aggressive and hostile behaviors perpetrated by a more powerful individual on those less powerful. Characteristics of bullies include those with more physical strength, assertive behavior, popularity, or some other socially valued characteristic. Bullying behaviors may include verbal or physical harass-ments and attacks, social exposure of someone else's privacy, or social exclusion and isolation, among other acts that make the victim feel rejected and humiliated. It can be perpetrated face to face, by telephone calls, and more recently by e-mails, tweets, and other Internet resources. Through the use of "viral" technology, victims are potentially exposed to millions, thus intensifying the risk of humiliation and shame. Bullying occurs in diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds and current estimates indicate that approximately 10% of young adolescents have been victims of bullying.