Longterm consequences of Peer and Sibling bullying

Wolke and collaborators investigate the precursors and consequences of peer or sibling bullying. Wolke’s research has contributed to the now convincing evidence that being bullied by peers increases the risk of physical and mental health problems, self-harm and suicide. Furthermore peer bullying is associated with difficulties in holding down a job and social relationships in adulthood. Wolke identified that both parenting as well as social disadvantage are associated with bullying victimization while bullies are found in all social classes and ethnic groups. Wolke and collaborators were one of the first to highlight that cyberbullying nearly always occurs with traditional bullying and creates few new victims. Wolke and collaborators have developed new models of intervention against bullying.
Wolke further investigates sibling bullying, a much neglected subject. Wolke and his colleagues showed for the first time that being bullied by siblings has long term adverse consequences on mental health into early adulthood.