Prospective associations between personality and bullying among Australian adolescents

This study aimed to examine whether high-risk personality dimensions increased susceptibility to bullying victimisation and perpetration among Australian adolescents.

Longitudinal cohort study of 527 secondary school students in Australia (baseline average age = 13 years, 67% female and 93% Australian-born). Bullying was measured using an amended version of the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Scale. Personality was measured using the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale. The data were analysed using mixed models, examining the association between baseline personality scores and frequency of victimisation/perpetration 12 months later.

Baseline hopelessness and baseline impulsivity were positively associated with frequency of victimisation 12 months later. Baseline anxiety sensitivity was negatively associated with victimisation 12 months later for males. There was a positive association between baseline impulsivity and frequency of bullying perpetration 12 months later.

High-risk personality dimensions predicted later bullying victimisation and bullying perpetration among Australian adolescents. This indicates that adding a personality-focused intervention for high-risk adolescents to existing universal bullying prevention approaches may be effective in improving the prevention of bullying among adolescents, as well as reducing other associated emotional and behavioural problems.