Homophobic bullying among adolescents: The role of insecure-dismissing attachment and peer support

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment style and homophobic bullying in adolescence, focusing on the role of peer support. Participants were 334 adolescents and young-adults (141 boys and 193 girls) aged from 15–20 years (M = 16.50; SD = 0.87). Participants completed the Homophobic Bullying Scale, the Relationship Questionnaire, and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. The results demonstrated that boys manifested a higher level of homophobic bullying than girls and girls reported higher level of peer’s support than boys. Regression analyses displayed that insecure-dismissing attachment positively predicted homophobic bullying in adolescence. However, security and safety among peers are positive predictors of homophobic bullying and communication among peers is a negative predictor. Results also showed a moderator effect of peer support in the relationship between insecure-dismissing attachment and homophobic bullying, such that at higher levels of insecure-dismissing attachment, homophobic bullying tended to be higher when peer support (trust on peers) was low and to be lower when social support from peers was high. Theoretical and practical implications are provided.