From bullying victimization to delinquency in South Korean adolescents: Exploring the pathways using a nationally representative sample

The purpose of this study was to examine the pathway from bullying victimization to delinquency through the mediating roles of alcohol/tobacco use, aggression, and academic performance among South Korean adolescents. Data were derived from the Korea Welfare Panel Study of 2006, 2009 and 2012. Participants included 490 South Korean adolescents who responded to all waves. Path analysis was used for the analyses. Findings indicated that bullying victimization at wave 1 was associated with increases in delinquent behaviors at wave 3, with the mediating role of alcohol/tobacco use, aggression, and academic performance, all at wave 2. More specifically, aggression has a significant mediating role in the relationship between bullying victimization and delinquency. Aggression was also related to higher rates of alcohol/tobacco use and low academic performance. Research implications are highlighted.