Bullying victimization/perpetration in childhood and later adjustment

Findings from a 30 year longitudinal study

Bibliographic Data

ID12936712
AuthorsSandra Gibbs (0000-0002-9708-8816, University of Otago, corresponding author), Sheree J Gibb, L John Horwood (0000-0003-4881-1956, University of Otago), David M Fergusson (0000-0002-8117-017X, University of Otago)
EditorsMaria M Ttofi (0000-0002-2725-0371)
Year2011
Volume3
Issue2
Pages82-88
Publication date2011-05-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1759-6599 • E-ISSN: 2042-8715
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/17596591111132891
OpenAlexW2092481603
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited12

Purpose This paper aims to report on the associations between reports of bullying victimization and bullying perpetration in childhood and subsequent mental health and adjustment difficulties in late adolescence/adulthood (16‐30 years) in a New Zealand birth cohort. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1,265 individuals born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1977 and followed to age 30. Findings There were general trends for rates of mental health/adjustment problems to be significantly associated with parental reports of bullying victimization in adolescence, and with parent and teacher reports of bullying perpetration in middle childhood or adolescence. Effect sizes were typically in the small to moderate range, and were reduced by covariate adjustment. After adjustment the majority of associations were statistically non‐significant. Effect sizes did not vary significantly with gender or the age at which outcomes were assessed. Originality/value The paper confirms that reports of bullying perpetration and victimization in childhood were associated with higher rates of later mental health/adjustment problems. Effect sizes were typically in the small to moderate range and, in the majority of cases, were substantially reduced upon covariate adjustment. Effect size estimates were not significantly different between males and females and did not vary with the age at which outcomes were assessed

Cohort · Cohort study · Covariate · Developmental psychology · Injury prevention · Longitudinal study · Medical emergency · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicide prevention · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology