Bullying and discrimination during high school, and associations with mental distress
Melbourne Institute Working Paper No. 17/26
Date: October 2026
Author(s):
Abstract
This paper examines how high school bullying and discrimination are associated with mental distress, both during high school and later in life. Using retrospective data from adults in Australia, we document the reported frequency of past bullying and whether, during their time in high school, respondents experienced discrimination based on characteristics such as ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or physical appearance. Frequent bullying is particularly prevalent among certain groups and is most common among those targeted due to a disability. We find that bullying is strongly associated with greater mental distress during high school, which persists into adulthood, even after accounting for experiences of discrimination. These associations are strongest for frequent bullying and are observed for both men and women. Discrimination based on disability and sexual orientation is also independently associated with greater mental distress. The findings underscore the significant challenges faced by those who experience frequent bullying during their teenage years, particularly among groups already experiencing discrimination.