Peer Victimization and Perceived Life Satisfaction Among Early Adolescents in the United States

Abstract

Background: Peer victimization among adolescents has been linked to increased psychological stress, psychosomatic illness, anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, suicide ideation and poor physical health. Purpose: This study explored associations between peer victimization and adolescents' perceptions of life satisfaction. Methods: Public middle school students grades 6th-8th (N = 1,253) completed a questionnaire measuring peer victimization and perceived life satisfaction. Regression analyses examined relationships between peer victimization and life satisfaction across four race/gender groups. Results: Findings determined significant associations (P < 0.05) for reduced life satisfaction and peer victimization due to religion for white females (OR = 2.18); victimization for gender for white females (OR = 2.63); victimization for race/ethnicity for white males (OR = 2.54) and white females (OR = 2.70); victimization for sexual orientation for white females (OR = 7.71); victimization for a disability for white males (OR = 3.29) black females (OR = 3.95) and white females (OR = 6.59) and truancy due to bullying for white females (OR = 5.15). Discussion: Life satisfaction is related to specific peer victimization behaviors for early adolescents for specific race/gender groups. Translation to Health Education Practice: Whole school approaches to bully prevention might not be equally effective for specific race-gender groups in all situations. Comprehensive peer victimization prevention programs need to include, smaller-scale, culturally contextual focused intervention components for maximum effectiveness.