Future of children who bully at school

Numerous studies have shown that children who are identified as 'bullies' at school are much more likely than others to engage in delinquent and criminal behaviours as adults.

In a recent study, criminologists Ttofi, Farrington and Lösel (2012) examined 18 studies conducted worldwide in which children identified as bullies and non-bullies at school were compared with respect to their subsequent criminal behaviour. Evidence of criminal behaviour was derived from official records of arrest or police/court contact and also self-reports of shoplifting, theft, vandalism, property damage and violent offending.

The authors concluded that 'school bullying is a strong and specific risk factor for later offending' and 'effective anti-bullying programmes should be promoted, and could be viewed as a form of early crime prevention.'

Referrences

Ttofi, M. M., 7Farrington, D. P., & Lösel, F. (2012). School bullying as a predictor of violence later in life: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective longitudinal studies. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 17. 5, 405-418.