Associations Between Childhood Bullying Victimization and Adult Income: Longitudinal Evidence From a Representative US Sample

Abstract

Bullying victimization in childhood and adolescence is a global health priority, but little is known about the long‐term economic impacts of bullying on the victim. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between bullying victimization in pre‐ or early adolescence and young adult income in a representative cohort of US youths. Data from a nationally representative longitudinal survey were analyzed. A total of 525 US youth‐completed surveys that included questions on bullying victimization in 2002/2003 (at ages 9–14 years) and 2007/2008 (at ages 14–18 years) as well as provided their income at age 25 (±1 year) (mean follow‐up time: 13.2 years). Associations between different types of bullying victimization (e.g., verbal and physical) and income at age 25 (±1 year) were assessed using multivariable linear regression, stratified by gender. Approximately half of participants reported being picked on at least once in the past month, and about one‐fourth reported being left out of activities at least once in the past month. Bullying victimization at ages 9–14 years was negatively associated with income levels later in life, but victimization at older ages was not. Only two exposures were associated with adult income when adjusting for sociodemographic covariates: being left out of things and having your things taken by others. Among females, reporting being left out of things at least 2–3 days per week was associated with decreased adulthood income. Among males, having your things taken about once per week or more was significantly associated with income, but the pattern was inconsistent. This study provides evidence of differences in the relationship between bullying victimization and income between males and females, with females’ income differences associated with less aggressive forms of bullying than males.