A new study suggests that children who were bullied do not forget about it even 40 years later. These children were found to have poor school performance, greater physical and mental problems, and poor social relationships even decades after the bullying incident.
Researchers from the National Child Development Study, led by Dr. Ryu Takizawa of King's College London, assessed 7,771 children up until they turn 50. At the beginning of the study, while the children were between 7 to 11 years old, 28 percent of them reported that they had experienced occasional bullying; 15 percent, on the other hand, were frequently bullied.
The researchers reassessed them every 10 years to monitor the progress of their mental and physical health, and learning performance. They found that the male participants were jobless and had lower income compared to those who were never bullied. Their mental health was also similar to those who were abused during childhood.
"We found the kids who were victims of bullying didn't manage to move up or move on possibly because they are so used to being pushed down," said Prof. Louise Arseneault, senior author of the study, to USA Today. "Even in middle age, some of those bullied may not have as good of jobs or earn as much money."
On a positive note, these participants showed lower dependence on alcohol.
Researchers believe that the results of the study are still valid even if it started more than 50 years ago. Bullying is still happening in modern times except that bullies are using technology to bully someone; thus the term "cyberbullying."
"Our study shows that the effects of bullying are still visible nearly four decades later. The impact of bullying is persistent and pervasive, with health, social and economic consequences lasting well into adulthood," said Dr. Takizawa in a press release.
The results of this study were published in the April 17 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
