Divided we fall: Children's friendships and peer victimization

Abstract

This study examined the contributions of peer acceptance and friendship (i.e., number and quality) on children being relationally or overtly peer victimized. Fifth-and sixth-grade children (N= 207, 92 boys) provided self-and peer-reports of victimization, friendship, and peer acceptance. General peer acceptance and high-quality friendships uniquely predicted both overt and relational victimization. Fall victimization did not predict spring friendship quality; however, fall friendship quality did predict spring victimization levels. For children with lower peer acceptance, high-quality friendships appeared to play an especially important role in determining the targets of peer abuse. Approaches that include friendship quality as well as interactive models of relationship dimensions may be informative for understanding victimization as well as children's general adjustment.