The hidden pain of bullying: somatic symptoms and physical health consequences

Background. Bullying is a pervasive public health issue among children and adolescents, associated not only with psychological distress but also with the development of physical health complaints.
The present study aims to explore the relationship between bullying victimization and somatic symptoms in youth, with particular attention to the Italian context, and to identify potential mechanisms and intervention strategies.
Materials and Methods. A narrative review of the literature was conducted to examine the association between bullying victimization and somatic symptoms in children and adolescents. Relevant studies were identified through a non-systematic search of major
electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Search terms included combinations of keywords such as bullying, cyberbullying, somatic symptoms, psychosomatic complaints, adolescents, and school-based intervention. Additional articles were identified by manually screening the reference lists of selected papers.
Results. Multiple studies indicate a consistent association between bullying victimization and increased prevalence of somatic symptoms among children and adolescents. In Italy, national programs have shown some success in reducing bullying, yet the problem remains significant. High affective empathy and limited emotional competence may increase vulnerability to psychosomatic outcomes.
Conclusions. Somatic symptoms in youth may be important indicators of bullyingrelated stress. Early identification, multidisciplinary care, and school-based prevention programs are essential.