Name-calling 'worst form of bullying'

Name-calling is more devastating for children's self-confidence than physical bullying, a study suggests. It found verbal abuse had a large and ongoing impact on children's self-esteem.

The study, which assessed 331 pupils in England, found 40 per cent had been bullied at some time. It also revealed one-third of bullied children suffered significant levels of post-traumatic stress.

The study was carried out by psychologists at Warwick University, who said it showed that bullying, and particularly name-calling, can be degrading for adolescents.

They also suggest that post-traumatic stress, an anxiety disorder which develops after exposure to a frightening event, can be caused by bullying.