Reducing potential mental health issues and alcohol abuse through an early prevention model for victims of peer harassment

Abstract

Psychological disability, including alcohol abuse and mental health issues, are associated with numerous interpersonal, intrapersonal, and occupational difficulties. Employers often bear the greatest economic impact of maladaptive behavior due to greater employee turnover, poor work performance, and other negative work outcomes. Despite these negative outcomes, researchers have yet to examine possible benefits of prevention and intervention programs designed specifically to limit adulthood occupational problems. In this paper, an early prevention/intervention model is suggested. Specifically, the authors suggest that early preventions and interventions should target peer victimization in elementary school settings, as peer victimization has been shown to lead to mental health issues and alcohol abuse. Furthermore, the authors suggest that limiting the occurrence of these psychological difficulties would decrease occurrence of substance use and abuse, decrease the occurrence of later mental health problems, and, therefore, decrease negative occupational outcomes. The authors assert that such early prevention/intervention programs have the opportunity to minimize the need for costly, adulthood interventions and may maximize individuals' potential gains.