Children experiencing high rates of peer victimization or engaging in problem behaviors are at a greater risk of not graduating high school on time, a study by the University of Illinois has found.

The study examined patterns of high school graduation and students' experiences with victimization, physical fighting, school suspensions and absenteeism or tardiness during the fall term of seventh grade. The risks of victimization were determined by the number of times students reported they had been threatened, or had property stolen at school.

Researchers found that while boys fell into low-, moderate-and high-risk groups, girls were split into just two: low and high risk. Most of the boys and girls examined were classified as low risk.

Data analyses found that half of the boys and 46 percent of the girls in the high-risk groups did not graduate high school within six years. By contrast, 81 percent of the boys and 84 percent of the girls in the low-risk groups graduated on time.

While boys in the moderate risk group reported at least one victimization experience, had some attendance problems and engaged in occasional fighting, 74 percent of them persisted with their studies until they graduated, compared with 50 percent of males in the high-risk group.

"Even though students may be fighting and receiving disciplinary action such as suspension, our findings suggest that they also are being victimized by peers, and it is the combination of victimization and problem behaviors that is associated with the lowest graduation rates," says UI social work professor Kevin Tan.

"Recognizing these patterns can help us identify students who are at an increased risk of dropping out before graduation and who may need additional support to help them stay in school until they earn their high school diplomas."

UI researchers also found that boys who experienced victimization but did not engage in externalizing behaviors had better school attendance and were more likely to complete their schoolwork than girls. About 25 percent of the girls bullied were more likely to be late or absent from school.

"It suggests the need for school personnel to screen for threats or physical fights and relational aggression among girls," says Tan.

The study is among the first to compare high school graduation rates across groups experiencing victimization and problem behaviors while in school.