Which of the following is a common psychological consequence of being bullied?

• A. Greater social confidence
• B. Improved academic performance
• C. Increased risk of depression
• D. Enhanced self-esteem

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of bullying and its psychological impact. Bullying is a form of repeated aggressive behavior that can cause emotional harm to the victim.
2. Step 2: Recognize common psychological consequences of bullying. These often include negative effects such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option in the problem: 'Greater social confidence' and 'Enhanced self-esteem' are generally unlikely outcomes of bullying, as bullying tends to undermine these qualities.
4. Step 4: Consider 'Improved academic performance'—bullying usually causes stress and distraction, which can negatively affect academic outcomes rather than improve them.
5. Step 5: Identify 'Increased risk of depression' as a well-documented psychological consequence of bullying, supported by research showing that victims often experience depressive symptoms.