Bullying and peer victimization among students in medical and health sciences pose a serious public health concern, given their long-term psychological consequences and increased susceptibility to mental health disorders throughout life. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design to assess the prevalence of bullying and its association with self-esteem, anxiety, and depression among university students in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. A total of 369 participants from MBBS, BDS, B Pharm, and BSN programs completed questionnaires covering sociodemographic information, bullying experiences, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Primary Care Anxiety and Depression Scale. The average age of participants was 21.49 ± 2.95 years. Results indicated that 34.1% of students experienced bullying, with verbal abuse—such as being called insulting names—reported by 44.4%, making it the most prevalent form. Analysis revealed that female students (53.2%) were more frequently targeted than males (46.8%). Students who were bullied had higher levels of anxiety and depression (mean score: 43.30 ± 19.74) and lower self-esteem (mean score: 44.62 ± 9.94). Significant relationships were found between bullying and factors including year of study, maternal education, and prior bullying experiences (P = 0.002, 0.038, 0.001). These findings underscore the necessity for universities to develop structured strategies to identify bullying and offer effective support to affected students and their families.
