The Moderating Effect of Help-Seeking on the Relationship between Experience of School Violence and Internalizing Behaviors

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the role of help-seeking in the relationships between the experience of school violence and internalizing behaviors.Methods: Data of a total of 1,402 adolescents aged 13∼14 years from the Seoul Panel Study of Children were utilized in the study. Multiple regression was employed to examine the moderating effect of help-seeking behaviors.Results: Findings are as follows: First, the experience of school violence was associated with higher levels of internalizing problems, such as depression and withdrawn behavior. Second, help-seeking behaviors reduced the effect of school violence on internalizing problem behaviors such as depression and withdrawn behavior.Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for education on help-seeking behaviors for adolescents and for building discussion networks to help adolescents ameliorate the negative impact of school violence.