Dutch researchers have found that most bullies are motivated to gain status and affection so they avoid bullying those who are well liked.

15 percent of children are victimized, leading to depression, anxiety, loneliness and other negative outcomes, Researchers at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands, said.

Almost 500 elementary-school children ages 9-12 were questioned by study leader Rene Veenstra and colleagues.

It was found by the study that bullies generally choose to gain status by dominating their victims.

The study further said that at the same time, they try to reduce the chances that they'll end up on the outs with other classmates by choosing victims who are weak and not well-liked by others.

Veenstra said that in short, even bullies care a lot about others' affection and don't want to lose it.

It was also found that gender plays an important role. For example, bullies ages 9-12 only care about not losing affection from classmates of their own gender.

The study further elaborated that when boys bully boys, it doesn't matter whether girls approve or disapprove, but boys will bully only those girls that aren't well liked by other boys, regardless of what girls think. Girls will do the same in their bullying of boys. (With Inputs from Agencies)