Apr 18, 2014 10:30 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

The negative effects of childhood bullying could last up to 40 years, according to a recent study Fox News reported.

Researchers from king's college London found people who were bullied when they were young are more likely to have poorer physical and psychological health and poorer cognitive functioning by the time they were 50 years old, Fox News reported.

Bullying is characterized by repeated hurtful actions by children of a similar age, where the victim finds it difficult to defend themselves.

"The effects of bullying are still visible nearly four decades later ... with health, social and economic consequences lasting well into adulthood," Ryu Takizawa, leader of the study, told Fox News.

The study includes 7,771 children whose parents provided information on their child's exposure to bullying when they were between the ages of seven and 11. The children were then followed up until the age of 50.

Researchers found that about 28 percent of the study participants had been bullied occasionally, and 15 percent has been bullied frequently.  Individuals who were frequently bullied in childhood were at an increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts.

"Our study shows that the effects of bullying are still visible nearly four decades later. The impact of bullying is persistent and pervasive, with health, social and economic consequences lasting well into adulthood," Takizawa said in a statement.

People who were bullied in childhood were also more likely to have lower educational levels, with men who were bullied in childhood were also more likely to have lower educational levels, with men who were bullied more likely to be unemployed and earn less. Social relationships and well-being were also affected. Individuals who had been bullied were less likely to be in a relationship, to have good social support, and were more likely to report lower quality of life and life satisfaction.

The harmful effect of bullying remained even when other factors including childhood IQ, emotional and behavioral problems, parents' socioeconomic status and low parental involvement, were taken into account.

"We need to move away from any perception that bullying is just an inevitable part of growing-up. Teachers, parents and policy-makers should be aware that what happens in the school playground can have long-term repercussions for children," Louise Arseneault, senior author, said in a statement.

He added that although programs to stop bullying are extremely important, there needs to be more focus on early intervention to prevent potential problems persisting into adolescence and adulthood.

The findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

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