Bullying victimization-perpetration link during early adolescence in South Korea: applying the individual trait approach and opportunity perspective

The current study applied an opportunity perspective and an individual trait approach to explain the link between bullying perpetration and victimization among early adolescents in South Korea. This study addressed direct effects of low self-control and lifestyle factors on bullying victimization as well as mediating effects of lifestyles on the link between low self-control and bullying victimization. Also, this study examined an indirect effect of low self-control on bullying victimization through bullying perpetration. The sample consisted of 2,844 fourth grade South Korean students who were followed for 5 years (through eighth grade). Findings revealed that (a) lower self-control was positively associated with bullying victimization; (b) affiliation with bullies and bullying perpetration predicted bullying victimization; (c) a significant overlap was found between bullying perpetration and victimization; and (d) low levels of self-control predicted bullying, which in turn contributed to an increased risk of bullying victimization. The study also discussed research implications.