Neuro-forensic perspectives on childhood bullying: a quantitative EEG (q-EEG) analysis of stress biomarkers in victimized children

<jats:p>&lt;p style="text-align: justify;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Context and relevance.&lt;/strong&gt; Bullying is a widespread psychosocial problem with serious psychological and neurodevelopmental consequences. Beyond emotional distress, it can affect brain function. Quantitative electroencephalography (q-EEG) enables objective detection of stress-related brain activity, offering potential forensic value. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; This study examined the impact of bullying-related stress in children by combining behavioral stress assessments with q-EEG analysis. &lt;strong&gt;Hypothesis.&lt;/strong&gt; We hypothesized that bullied children would report higher stress levels and exhibit distinct brainwave abnormalities detectable by q-EEG, which could serve as forensic indicators of trauma. &lt;strong&gt;Methods and materials.&lt;/strong&gt; Two cross-sectional phases were conducted. In the first, 2,781 Indonesian children (aged 8&amp;mdash;13) completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and a bullying questionnaire. In the second, 24 children with high stress indicators underwent clinical q-EEG. Brainwave data across standard frequency bands were analyzed in relation to stress scores. &lt;strong&gt;Results.&lt;/strong&gt; 58,3% of children reported being bullied. These children were 2.8 times more likely to experience moderate to severe stress (p &amp;lt; 0,001). Among the q-EEG subsample, 95,8% showed cortical abnormalities&amp;mdash;reduced bilateral temporal activity (83,3%) and increased prefrontal high-beta waves (29,2%)&amp;mdash;linked to emotional dysregulation and anxiety. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions. &lt;/strong&gt;Bullying induces measurable brain changes. q-EEG may serve as a reliable tool for detecting trauma in children, supporting early intervention and forensic child protection.&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p>