Bullying and Emotional Distress in Students: A Systematic Review of Prevention Strategies

Bullying is a pervasive social phenomenon that substantially undermines the psychological andemotional well-being of millions of students worldwide, disrupting interpersonal relationships withineducational settings. The significance of this study lies in its potential to advance understanding of theunderlying causes and consequences of bullying, thereby informing the design of effective preventivestrategies aimed at mitigating emotional harm and fostering safer, healthier school environments. Toanalyze bullying prevention strategies aimed at reducing emotional distress among students. Guided bythe research question, “What are the most effective bullying prevention strategies for reducing emotionaldistress in students?”, a systematic review was conducted of 22 open-access manuscripts indexed in theScopus database and published in English and Spanish between 2020 and 2024. The findings indicate thatlow self-esteem, exposure to domestic violence, and deficits in social skills are key factors associated withincreased rates of both aggression and victimization. Moreover, the review confirms that school bullyinghas a deleterious impact on students’ mental health, contributing to elevated levels of anxiety anddepression. The results underscore the necessity of implementing comprehensive prevention andintervention programs that strengthen school coexistence and ensure safe educational environments.Such initiatives constitute essential resources for educators, researchers, and mental health professionalscommitted to promoting emotional well-being and reducing school violence. Received: 14 November 2025 / Accepted: 15 February 2026 / Published: March 2026