What is it about?
This study examined whether being bullied in childhood played a causal role in adult psychosis. Although children who had been bullied in childhood were more likely to have symptoms of psychosis in adulthood, it is likely that the bullying they experienced was due to behavioural and other psychosocial problems in childhood that were early signs of possible psychosis in adulthood, and that increased the risk of bullying.
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Why is it important?
The childhood and adolescent environmental and individual factors that contribute to adult psychotic illness are generally not well understood. The present study suggests that bullying is not a direct cause, but an indicator of risk of adult psychotic illness.
Perspectives
The paper was a joint effort between our research group and the former researcher for the Early Intervention in Psychosis programme in the Canterbury District Health Board. It was a satisfying collaboration.
Dr Joseph M Boden
University of Otago
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Bullying victimization in adolescence and psychotic symptomatology in adulthood: evidence from a 35-year study, Psychological Medicine, January 2016, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0033291715002962.
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