The costs and benefits of bullying

Abstract

The present study examined the positive and negative outcomes of bullying for both victims and bullies in terms of the following variables: self-image, internalizing problems, social dominance and social acceptance. It can be concluded on the basis of peer reports, self-reports and teacher questionnaires (n = 981) that there are considerable differences in bullies and victims as regards the consequences of bullying. Bullies experience positive outcomes of bullying. This group encounters many benefits and few costs of bullying in terms of the impact on their self-image, internalizing problems, social dominance and social acceptance. In contrast, victims experience negative outcomes of bullying in terms of all aspects of the behavior. They experience an increased degree of internalizing problems, contend with a lower self-image, and are less socially accepted and socially dominant.