Bullies turn into crooks

July 9, 2010

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Steve Lillebuen

From: Herald Sun July 09, 2010 8:34PM

CLASSROOM bullies can grow up to be crooks and hoons while their victims become

depressed for years after their schoolyard fights, researchers say.

While the long-term impact of bullying has been largely assumed, Australian

researchers have now proven a significant link from the schoolyard to adulthood.

Children who are bullies in school are about three to four times more likely to

be involved in anti-social behaviour and physical violence by their early 20s,

says the long-term study on children by the Australian Institute of Family

Studies.

By their 24th birthday, bullies are likely to be involved in fights, damaging

property and shoplifting.

The study found bullies also started carrying weapons such as knives as they

grew up into young men and women.

Their victims, however, saw their social difficulties in high school transform

into depression, anxiety and stress.

" The key message behind all of this is that school bullying is not something

that finishes at school. This follows through to early adulthood, " research

fellow Dr Jodie Lodge said.

" Once on a trajectory, it makes them far more vulnerable to continue down that

track. "

The study has examined about 1000 people since they were born in the early

1980s.

Participants were interviewed when they turned 12 and 13, again when they were

13 and 14, and most recently as they became young adults at 23 and 24 years old.

Participants were then grouped into being either a bully, a victim, someone who

experienced both, or part of the control group.

Dr Lodge said the most vulnerable group were those who were victims and bullies.

This group tended to have fewer friends, suffer both social and academic

problems, and grow up to suffer from multiple issues.

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