October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and a new study shows that teens bullied in high school tend to become pessimistic about their future.

Researchers at Wayne State University found adolescents who experienced relational bullying were more likely to develop depressive symptoms, and over time became more pessimistic about academics and career prospects beyond high school. Relational bullying includes things like starting rumors, being deliberately ignored, and exclusion from group activities.

Study co-author Dr. Hannah Schacter says a student’s perception of social inadequacy can spread into other parts of life.

“You’re receiving a message from your peers that you are someone who doesn’t deserve positive treatment and that may then generalize to these other life domains,” Schacter said. “Now you expect that you’re not going to be able to do well academically or perhaps you won’t be able to achieve what you wanted in terms of your work or kind of life plans.”

The study began with more than 300 9th graders at 38 different high schools across Michigan. Students completed online surveys multiple times per year over three years.