Appearance related bullying (ARB) reflects experiences of bullying that occur due to a young person’s appearance. This can include (but is not limited to) body shape and size, body weight, facial features, skin conditions and colour, teeth and any type of prominent features. This research is being conducted by Katelynn Wilson as part of her PhD, to find out more about the research, please contact Katelynn at katelynn.wilson@york.ac.uk

Systematic Review

Katelynn’s first study for her PhD is a systematic review, synthesising the evidence on the relationship between ARV and poor mental health. The aims of this programme of research are to:
1. Synthesise research on ARB and poor mental health outcomes with a systematic review.
2. Explore the issues of definition and measurement in the literature.
3. Explore variables which may play a role in the relationship between ARB and poor mental health.
4. Examine mental health outcomes of ARB with young people.

Katelynn has undertaken two further studies examining:
1. The role of attributions of the cause of bullying in the relationship between being bullied and poor mental health.
2. The role of attributions and fear of negative evaluations in the longitudinal relationship between being bullied and poor mental health.

Publications

Wilson, K., & Noret, N. (2024). The relationship between Appearance related peer victimisation and Poor Mental Health: A systematic review. Retrieved from osf.io/2uegz

Wilson, K., & Noret, N. (2023). The nature and impact of appearance related peer-victimisation: A systematic review. Presented at the World Anti-Bullying Forum, October, 2023. You can access a copy of the poster below.

Wilson, K., & Noret, N. (2024). The relationship between young peoples’ attributions for bullying and poor mental health. Presented at the Workshop on Aggression, 21st November, Nottingham. You can access a copy of the presentation below.