Is there a link between childhood bullying behaviour and anti-social behaviour in later years?

A 5 year UK study found a possible link between bullying behaviour in school and later violent behaviour. It was found that from a group of 50 pupils (boys and girls) who were disruptive but not bullies,17 had criminal convictions (with a total of 33 offences, including 4 which involved violence). However, a group of 50 pupils who were disruptive and bullies, had a much higher number of criminal convictions - 31 had 162 convictions and 36 of these offences involved violence. A 22 year study carried out in the US found that boys who were described by peers as being very aggressive (displaying bullying behaviour), have a much higher chance of becoming criminals by the age of 30 (a 1 in 4 chance) than others (who have a 1 in 20 chance). It was also found that in later life, these boys were aggressive towards their wives and children and tended to have children who behaved aggressively.
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Article details

D Tattum (1993) 'Child, school and family', in 'Understanding and Managing Bullying', edited by D Tattum; Oxford: Heinemann Educational Books Limited.
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