Correlates of bullying and victimization among intermediate students in the midwestern USA

The primary purpose of the investigation was to examine the relationship be tween bullying and risk behaviors among 591 fourth-through sixth-grade stud ents in a mid-sized Midwestern (USA) own. More than one-third of respondent s reportedly experienced bullying and about one-fifth reported bullying oth ers. Victims tended to worry, dislike themselves and desire to stay home fr om school (for the sake of physical safety). Bullies were more Likely than other students to spend time at home without adult supervision, drink. alco hol, smoke or chew tobacco, cheat on tests and bring weapons to school. In addition, bullies' peers pressured them to emit high-risk behaviors such as smoking and drinking. Results were discussed in terms of previous research on bullies and in light of the possible relationship between bullying, ant isocial and high-risk behavior.