Abstract
Justice sensitivity (JS), the tendency to perceive and negatively respond to alleged injustice, has been associated with a range of internalizing and externalizing problems and peer victimization; however, it remains unclear if it has an association with self-victimization. Participants (N = 769) reported on their JS longitudinally at 9-19 (T1), 11-21 (T2), and 14-22 years of age (T3). They further reported on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and illegal substance use as indicators of self-victimization as well as victimization by peers at T2 and T3. A cross-lagged latent model revealed that victim JS at T1 was positively associated with NSSI, substance use, and peer victimization at T2, and victim JS at T2 was positively associated with substance use at T3. Higher observer JS at T2 predicted higher illegal substance use at T3 and higher illegal substance use at T2 predicted higher observer JS at T3. Finally, higher peer victimization at T2 predicted less perpetrator JS at T3 in the total group. Multigroup models further revealed sex-specific effects. Our findings highlight that being sensitive to injustice, particularly the tendency to feel unfairly treated or being taken advantage of, contributes to individuals' vulnerability to both engaging in behaviors reflecting self-victimization and being a target of peer victimization, which in turn have influences on JS.
Highlights
Justice sensitivity (JS), the tendency to perceive and negatively respond to alleged injustice, has been associated with a range of internalizing and externalizing problems and peer victimization; it remains unclear if it has an association with self-victimization
Findings of the current study revealed that in line with the hypotheses, participants who engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), used substances, and were victimized by their peers tended to have higher victim JS and lower perpetrator JS
Victim JS at T1 was associated with higher T2 NSSI, substance use, and peer victimization when the stability of these variables was not considered
Summary
Justice sensitivity (JS), the tendency to perceive and negatively respond to alleged injustice, has been associated with a range of internalizing and externalizing problems and peer victimization; it remains unclear if it has an association with self-victimization. Increasing evidence showed that NSSI, substance use, and peer victimization are all associated with broad personality dimensions, high neuroticism (Hansen et al, 2012; Jacobson & Gould, 2007; Kotov et al, 2010; Lloyd-Richardson et al, 2007) These findings suggest that self- and peer victimization may be associated with other personality traits, the ones which have relations with neuroticism, internalizing problem behavior, and/or peer victimization. NSSI and substance use are similar in providing short-term stress release, but potentially causing adverse consequences to the individuals in the long run
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