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Childhood bullying affects longterm social, health and economic outcomes

In a 50-year longitudinal British cohort, researchers found childhood bullying to have negative long-term effects into adulthood, including poor social, health and economic outcomes.

Researchers studied data from the 1958 British Birth Cohort study in which information was collected on 98% of all births in England, Scotland and Wales during 1 week in 1958 (n=18,558). During childhood, follow-up occurred at age 7, 11 and 16 years and at age 23, 33, 42, 45 and 50 years in adulthood.

To define childhood bullying, parents were interviewed when participants were aged 7 and 11 years.

The rate of childhood bullying was confirmed in parent interviews conducted when participants were aged 7 and 11 years. Occasional bullying occurred among 28% of children and frequent bullying occurred among 15%.

Occasional or frequent bullying in childhood was associated with higher levels of psychological distress nearly 40 years after the experience, at age 23 and 50 years, researchers reported. Frequent bullying was associated with an increased risk for depression, anxiety disorders and suicidality at age 45 years. The risk for depression was higher even among children who were bullied occasionally, but bullying was not associated with higher rates of midlife alcohol dependence.

Those who experienced childhood bullying self-reported poor general health at age 23 and 50 years and poor cognitive functioning at age 50 years.

Researchers reported lower education levels and an increased risk of living without a spouse or partner among adults who were bullied as children.

Those who experienced frequent bullying anticipated less life satisfaction in the future. Researchers found a minimal association between bullying victimization and unemployment (for men), pay (for men) and meeting friends in the past 2 weeks after controlling for childhood factors.

“The findings are compelling in showing that the independent contribution of bullying victimization survives the tests of time and confounding. It is unlikely, of course, that bullying operates in isolation to create such lifelong adversities,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.