Do positive peer relations mitigate transactions between depressive symptoms and peer victimization in adolescence?

Abstract

This study's purpose was to evaluate whether two aspects of positive peer relations—having a friend and being well-liked—mitigate prospective transactions between depressive symptoms and peer victimization. Participants were early adolescents in fifth and sixth grades (N=483; 50% girls; Mage in 5th grade spring=11.10years; SD=0.40) and late adolescents in ninth and tenth grades (N=444; 52% girls; Mage in 9th grade spring=14.70years; SD=0.62). Data were collected in the spring annually. Depressive symptoms were assessed via parent-, teacher-, and self-reports (late adolescence only) and peer victimization by self-, peer-, and teacher-reports. Mutual friendship nominations and peer acceptance ratings indexed positive peer relations. Results showed that positive peer relations are protective: Depressive symptoms contributed to peer victimization for early and late adolescents without a friend; moreover, late adolescents high on acceptance were at decreased risk for peer victimization.