Bullying Victimization and Complex Trauma

A Systematic Review of CPTSD and DTD Symptoms

Bibliographic Data

ID19522392
AuthorsDiogo Morgado (0000-0001-7175-8829, University of Minho, corresponding author), Patrícia Correia‐Santos (0000-0002-2144-8299), Patrícia Correia-Santos (Instituto Superior da Maia), Ricardo Pinto (0000-0001-6980-497X), Ricardo J Pinto (0000-0002-7952-6296, Universidade Lusófona do Porto), Ângela Da Costa Maia (0000-0003-1343-9699, University of Minho)
Year2025
Pages15248380251401923-15248380251401923
Publication date2025-12-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTrauma Violence & Abuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1524-8380 • E-ISSN: 1552-8324
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/15248380251401923
PMID41466565
OpenAlexW7117574554
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited52

A meta-analysis published in 2015 demonstrated a significant association between bullying victimization (BV) in school and workplace settings and the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, a recent theoretical review showed that the consequences of BV are much more complex than the traditional PTSD criteria. The authors argue that two potential diagnoses ought to be considered in the context of BV: developmental trauma disorder (DTD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). This systematic review aims to synthesize the results regarding the relationship between BV and these two complex trauma symptoms. Following PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in seven electronic databases in March 2024. We searched for Portuguese or English quantitative published studies, or unpublished quantitative master’s or doctoral theses. In total, 1056 studies were identified, and 12 were considered eligible. Ten were cross-sectional, and two were longitudinal. Five had youth samples, whereas seven had adult samples. Most studies presented a low risk of bias. No studies were found that aimed to assess the relationship between BV and DTD symptoms. In contrast, a significant positive relationship between BV and CPTSD symptoms in youth and adult populations was found. BV was particularly associated with CPTSD, but not with PTSD in both populations. Only one study found that BV was not a predictor of CPTSD status in a Danish adult population. The results reveal that BV might be associated with a more complex symptomatology. However, it is still not possible to assert the causal link between BV and DTD/CPTSD

Danish · Injury prevention · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Victimisation · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Workplace Violence and Bullying

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