biostudies-literatureZhang XThe Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of Hunan Province1079https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12482445biostudies-literatureUnknown13(1)<h4>Background</h4>Adolescent bullying and childhood family abuse are widespread social issues with lasting negative effects on victims' psychological health and behavior. Research suggests that childhood family abuse increases the likelihood of adolescents engaging in bullying. However, the dynamic relationship between these two phenomena, particularly the mechanisms involved, has been understudied.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to explore how childhood family abuse leads to adolescent bullying behavior through the mediating roles of loneliness and delinquent peer affiliation, offering a theoretical basis for bullying prevention and intervention.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 2,042 middle school students participated in the study, consisting of 1,086 males (53.18%) (mean [SD] age, 14.23 [7BMC psychologyFrom victims to aggressors: the link between childhood family abuse and adolescent peer bullying.PMC1248244523WTB07Lin RZhang ZZhang XZhao YZhang QShen FfalseFrom victims to aggressors: the link between childhood family abuse and adolescent peer bullying.<h4>Background</h4>Adolescent bullying and childhood family abuse are widespread social issues with lasting negative effects on victims' psychological health and behavior. Research suggests that childhood family abuse increases the likelihood of adolescents engaging in bullying. However, the dynamic relationship between these two phenomena, particularly the mechanisms involved, has been understudied.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to explore how childhood family abuse leads to adolescent bullying behavior through the mediating roles of loneliness and delinquent peer affiliation, offering a theoretical basis for bullying prevention and intervention.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 2,042 middle school students participated in the study, consisting of 1,086 males (53.18%) (mean [SD] age, 14.23 [72025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-04T01:40:11.03Z2026-05-04T03:12:30.464ZS-EPMC124824454102430610.1186/s40359-025-03407-3