Children who are the victims of bullying are more likely to experience psychiatric problems as young adults, an American prospective population-based cohort study has found. A total of 1,420 children were recruited from 11 counties in Western Carolina. Participants were assessed annually between the ages of 9 and 16. Both the child and his/her parent were interviewed to identify bullying or bullying others, childhood psychiatric disorders and family hardships. Subsequent follow-up with a structured diagnostic interview took place at the ages of 19, 21 and 24-26.