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Being Bullied May Lead to More Arrests, Convictions, Prison Time

People who were repeatedly bullied throughout childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to go to prison than individuals who did not suffer repeated bullying, according to a new analysis presented at the American Psychological Association’s 121st Annual Convention.

Almost 14% of those who reported being bullied repeatedly from childhood through their teens ended up in prison as adults, compared with 6% of nonvictims, 9% of childhood-only victims, and 7% of teen-only victims, the study found. When comparing rates of convictions, more than 20% of those who endured chronic bullying were convicted of crimes, compared with 11% of nonvictims, 16% of childhood victims, and 13% of teen victims. Compared with nonwhite childhood victims, white childhood victims faced significantly greater odds of going to prison, according to the study.

"Previous research has examined bullying during specific time periods, whereas this study is the first to look at individuals’ reports of bullying that lasted throughout their childhood and teen years, and the legal consequences they faced in late adolescence and as adults," said Michael G. Turner, PhD, of the department of criminal justice and criminology at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

The results also revealed that women who were chronically bullied from childhood through their teens faced significantly greater odds of using alcohol or drugs, and of being arrested and convicted than men who had grown up experiencing chronic bullying.

Turner analyzed data from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The survey involved 7,335 individuals between the ages of 12 and 16 as of December 31, 1996. The sample reflected the demographics of the United States.

The analysis identified four groups: nonvictims (74%); those bullied repeatedly before the age of 12 (15%); those bullied repeatedly after the age of 12 (6%); and those repeatedly victimized before and after the age of 12 (5%). Accounts of repeated bullying were collected over several periods and the legal outcomes were assessed when participants’ were in their late teens or adults. These relationships were also examined across gender and race. The study followed youths over a 14-year period from early adolescence into adulthood.

"This study highlights the important role that health care professionals can play early in a child’s life when bullying is not adequately addressed by teachers, parents, or guardians," Turner said. "With appropriate questions during routine medical checkups, they can be critical first points of contact for childhood victims. Programs that help children deal with the adverse impacts of repeated bullying could make the difference in whether they end up in the adult legal system."

— Source: American Psychological Association