Bullying a child would benefit…the bully. According to research conducted by scientists from the American University Duke Medicine followed 1,420 people for 20 years using questionnaires and blood tests. Participants answered questions on various topics, including bullying, during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Those who were bullied in childhood suffered from health problems until adulthood: their levels of C-reactive protein were very high.
This inflammatory marker is a risk factor for various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, explains the QMI agency. These victims can suffer from “chronic inflammation”, even in adulthood, according to experts. The more a child has been bullied, the higher their C-reactive protein level will be, unlike bullies, who have lower levels.
According to the researchers’ analyses, bullies benefit from better health throughout their life, and from a high social status. “Improved social status appears to have a biological advantage,” Explain the study’s lead author, William Copeland. “However, there are ways children can experience social success outside of bullying.”
