Life After Surviving Bullying as Minors: Female Licensed Professional Counselors Who Recover from Triggering Events in Adulthood

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 5 million adolescents are bullied during school. A slightly higher portion of students who identify as female rather than as male report being bullied at school, and a higher percentage of females than males attempt suicide. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of female licensed professional counselors who overcame barriers associated with childhood and/or adolescent bullying to report self-perceived success. The study examines their lived experiences to find out what motivated and encouraged them to keep going beyond surviving to overcome triggers encountered during adulthood. Within this study, the keys to overcoming the negative effects of bullying and unlocking the healing, growth, and coping strategies within young girls and women who have been bullied as minors are explored through the lens of resiliency theory. Research findings, implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed in depth.