School climate and peer victimization among adolescents: A moderated mediation model of school connectedness and parental involvement

Abstract

Although research is beginning to examine the association between school climate perceptions and peer victimization, little is known about the mediating and moderating influences on this relationship among high school-aged adolescents. Based on a heuristic model of school victimization and an ecological systems perspective, this study investigated (a) the mediating role of school connectedness in the association between school climate and peer victimization, and (b) the moderating role of parental involvement in the direct and indirect relationships between school climate and victimization. Cross-sectional interview data from 15-year-olds were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which included 3,230 adolescents with an average age of 15.6 years, of whom 51% were male and 71% were Black and Hispanic. Results indicated that school connectedness mediated the relationship between school climate perceptions and peer victimization. Furthermore, the mediating process was moderated by parental involvement. The indirect effect of school climate perceptions on peer victimization, through school connectedness, was stronger for higher levels of parental involvement than lower levels of parental involvement. The findings have important practical implications, which are discussed.