The findings, published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday, are based on a group of 2,540 boys Finnish boys.
The study found that boys who habitually bullied were more likely than their peers to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder as young men, which includes disregard for law and rights of other people.
On the other hand, boys who were frequent victims of bullying had an elevated risk of anxiety disorders as young men.
However,the risk was highest for boys who were both perpetrators and victims of bullying ;they had elevated risks of both anxiety disorders and antisocial personality disorder as young adults.
The findings suggest that frequent bullying and victimization is ''a red flag that something might be wrong and preventive interventions should take place,'' said lead study author Dr Andre Sourander of Turku University in Finland.
He recommended that these boys be evaluated by a mental health professional and also emphasised on the parents of these kids to be more involved with their education.
''Cooperation between parents, teachers and health professionals is most important,'' Sourander said.
