How dislike and bullying co‐develop: A longitudinal study of negative relationships among children

This study investigates the network mechanisms underlying co-development of two types negative relationships: dislike relationships, and victim-bully relationships among children. Longitudinal data on school-level networks 15 Dutch primary schools (N = 2175; Mage(T1) 10; 51% male) were analyzed with stochastic actor-oriented models. Evidence was found for mutual reinforcement between bullying/victimization. Disliked children more likely to bully those or be victimized by who previously disliked them. Over above these effects at relationship level, schoolmates other schoolmates. Victims over time bullied them, but not schoolmates, whereas bullies only they also Contrary expectations, no support hypotheses that sex-based in-group favoritism affects children's their tendency others. The findings show how feelings bullying behavior toward mutually influence reinforce each time.