10/05/2025
A study published in Psychological Science suggests that both childhood bullies and their victims face an elevated risk of stress, anger, and hostility in adulthood—factors linked to cardiovascular disease and other health issues.
Researchers analyzed data from 305 men in the Pittsburgh Youth Study, which tracked participants from first grade into their early 30s. Bullying behavior was assessed at ages 10 to 12 through reports from children, parents, and teachers. As adults, former bullies were more aggressive and more likely to smoke, while those who had been bullied experienced greater financial hardship, more stressful life events, and lower levels of optimism.
