Breaking the Cycle of Violence and Trauma:

How Self-Awareness Mediates the Cognitive Impact of Bullying

Resumo

Bullying, just child's play? No! Who has heard the phrase: "Back in my day, this already existed, and I wasn't traumatized..."? Although it was once seen as something common that should be part of an individual's development or as something that would not cause psychological scars, it currently involves behaviors that can include repeated and intentional physical, verbal, or social aggression directed at a person or group that is in a vulnerable position and that for these reasons, has also come to be considered a crime. But would penalizing people who practice this act, even if they are children, be the best way forward? Scientific research indicates that victims of bullying often develop negative psychological effects that can last a lifetime or even be related to the development of psychopathological conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, low self-esteem, and even learning difficulties. This article reviews the literature to map some cognitive processes related to bullying, reflecting, in particular, how self-awareness can mediate and directly influence how a person perceives and deals with this reality. Throughout this work, theoretical perspectives on the topic will be presented, as well as reflections on some intervention programs, anti-bullying strategies, and how some elements that involve self-awareness, such as self-concept, self-monitoring, self-control, self-regulation, and ethical and moral standards are involved in this process. The results indicate that how a person perceives, feels, and behaves when faced with bullying may be associated with losses in self-focus, and some dimensions of self-awareness, such as rumination, as well as higher levels of self-concept and self-esteem, may be protective elements in coping with bullying. Finally, this critical discussion is expected to promote reflections that will help construct new intervention programs that involve cognitive aspects, especially self-awareness, to, if not eradicate bullying, at least minimize its developmental impact on those involved, both victims and offenders