Reasons for Victimization: Firsthand Accounts from Perpetrators of School-Based Bullying

We collected 1,134 firsthand accounts from perpetrators of bullying to understand the reasons for their behavior. Using a thematic approach, we identified 11 general themes: previous victimization, power, social norms, peer pressure, victim characteristics, personal insecurities, entertainment, family influence, temperament, lack of awareness, justice.