How does bullying primarily affect the student who is bullied?

Bullying primarily affects the student who is bullied by reducing their self-esteem. Victims of bullying often experience feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy as a result of negative interactions with peers. This decline in self-esteem can manifest in various ways, including withdrawal from social situations, reluctance to participate in class, and an increased sense of isolation.

When students are bullied, they may start to internalize the negative messages they receive from their aggressors, leading to a diminished sense of self-worth. This can ultimately hinder their ability to engage socially and academically, further perpetuating a cycle of negativity in their school life.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the impact of bullying. While one might think bullying could lead to improved social skills or academic performance due to increased motivation or resilience, research overwhelmingly indicates that the opposite occurs in most cases, highlighting how detrimental bullying is to the mental health and overall well-being of the bullied student.