Lost in the Corridors: Bullying, Fear of Abandonment, and the Hidden Scars

Abstract

This paper explores how boarding school environments uniquely amplify emotional trauma stemming from bullying and abandonment anxiety. The manuscript examines how the absence of familial support and rigid institutional culture can intensify feelings of isolation, significantly impacting students’ emotional development, self-perception, and attachment patterns. Drawing from attachment theory and psychological research, this study analyzes how prolonged experiences of peer victimization and emotional neglect within boarding schools shape long-term psychological outcomes, including struggles with self-worth, trust, and relationship building. Personal narratives illuminate the hidden scars carried into adulthood, highlighting the critical need for institutional accountability and therapeutic interventions. By uncovering the profound emotional impacts of boarding school experiences, this research calls for systemic reform and greater psychological support to promote resilience, emotional health, and recovery among survivors.