Effect of Peer Victimization on Social Anxiety in Middle School Students and The Mediating Role of Self-Concept

Abstract

This study examined the mediating effect of self-concept on the relationship of peer victimization and social anxiety in middle school students. Study participants consisted of 235 (122 boys and 113 girls) first to third graders from three middle schools located in Seoul and Gyung-gi province. The School Violence Experience Scale and the Self-Concept Scale were used to measure research variables in the Korean version of Social Anxiety Scale for adolescents. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the general tendency of study variables. In addition, structural equation modeling(SEM) was used to examine the mediating model. The study results were as follows. First, the level of peer victimization of the middle school students decreased the self-concept level; in addition, the self-concept level had a significant negative effect on the social anxiety level. Second, the self-concept level fully mediated the peer victimization and social anxiety relationship. In conclusion, a higher peer victimization level resulted in a lower self-concept level, that produced a higher social anxiety level in middle school students. The results suggested that implementing effective interventions to prevent peer victimization and encouraging a positive self-concept in middle school students would make a significant contribution to reducing social anxiety.