Bullying Victimization and Delinquent Behaviour During Adolescence: A Double Machine Learning Approach

ABSTRACT Although a substantial body of cross‐sectional research has examined the association between bullying victimization and adolescent delinquency, longitudinal evidence based on nationally representative samples remains limited. In particular, the mediating role of social–emotional competence in this relationship has received insufficient empirical attention. This study examines whether bullying victimization increases the likelihood of adolescent delinquent behaviour and whether deficits in social–emotional competence mediate this association. Using data from 2695 adolescents in Waves 5 and 6 of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we constructed a balanced panel dataset and applied a double machine learning approach. The findings indicate that bullying victimization significantly predicts higher levels of delinquent behaviour and that reduced social–emotional competence constitutes an important mediating pathway. These results identify social–emotional competence as a key mechanism linking peer victimization to delinquency and underscore the importance of strengthening these capacities to prevent victimization from escalating into delinquent behaviour.