What predicts being a victim of bullying in adolescence? An examination of risk factors from childhood and adolescence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine predictors of being a victim of bullying in adolescence. Design/methodology/approach Data come from mothers and their children who participated in the prospective longitudinal Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy and its Outcomes. The authors examine predictors of being a victim of bullying collected at the 5-year and 14-year follow-ups ( n = 2,815). Findings Adolescents (aged 14) more likely bullied were male (odds ratios [OR] = 1.93), had social attention and thought problems (OR = 1.99), performed below average in school (OR = 1.73), had later pubertal onset (OR = 3.02) and were the most overweight (OR = 1.75). Multiple risk factors elevated the likelihood of being a victim of bullying, although high numbers of false positives were observed. Originality/value Given victims of bullying are at increased risk of adverse social and health outcomes, improved identification of those most vulnerable ensures they can receive appropriate support and resources.