Bullying: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Family Therapists

This article reviews the current literature regarding childhood bullying and the implications for family therapists in the treatment of bullying and victimizing behaviors. The purpose of the following paper is threefold: (a) to review the current literature regarding bullying behavior and its systemic origins through the view of social learning and attachment theories; (b) to investigate the appropriateness and success of family therapy as a treatment model for this issue, focusing specifically on solution-focused and strategic/structural family therapies; and (c) to discuss implications and dire need for more research on the topic of bullying in family therapy.