Citation

Kulig TC, Pratt TC, Cullen FT, Chouhy C, Unnever JD. Vict. Offender 2017; 12(6): 891-912.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15564886.2017.1307297

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The integrated low self-control/risky lifestyle theoretical framework has proven useful for explaining various types of victimization. Bullying victimization (i.e., verbal, social, or physical attacks), however, may not fit this explanation very well if youths who are bullied do not have to engage in risky behaviors to be singled out by their peers, but could instead be targeted for other reasons (e.g., physical vulnerabilities). In this context, the current paper examines the generality of the low self-control/risky lifestyle model by assessing whether it can effectively explain which youngsters are more likely to be bullied. Using a sample of 1,901 middle school students, the results indicate that, although low self-control significantly predicts whether youths will engage in risky lifestyles (e.g., displaying aggressive attitudes, committing delinquent acts, using illicit substances), participating in such behaviors does not elevate the likelihood of bullying victimization. Instead, the authors' findings reveal that low self-control directly influences victimization. Further, physical vulnerability is significantly related to being bullied. These findings suggest that the low self-control/risky lifestyle model needs to be revised to accommodate potential age-graded consequences of self-control, and that physical limitations--not "traditional" risky lifestyles--are persistent sources of bullying victimization that should be further evaluated.

Language: en

Keywords

bullying; schools; victimization; lifestyle/routine activity theory; self-control