Diverse Adolescents Research Articles

Styles of Bystander Intervention in Cyberbullying Incidents

Cyber bystanders may reduce the frequency and impact of cyberbullying incidents they witness. Recent evidence indicates that bystanders can employ constructive (e.g. comforting the victim) or aggressive (e.g. threatening the bully) strategies when intervening in cyberbullying incidents. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to measure aggressive and constructive forms of bystander intervention (the Styles of Bystander Intervention Scale), as well as to investigate the influence of moral disengagement on these behaviours. Participants were 301 ethnically diverse Australian adolescents aged 12–17 years (Mage = 14 years 6 months), who completed a self-report survey to examine bystander intervention styles and the associations with moral variables. The Styles of Bystander Intervention Scale demonstrated adequate reliability and effectively distinguished between aggressive and constructive forms of intervention. The results indicated that higher moral disengagement was significantly associated with aggressive bystander responses, and lower moral disengagement was significantly associated with constructive responses. These results highlight the need to differentiate between aggressive and constructive bystander intervention and the importance of investigating psychological factors related to these intervention styles.

Mental Health Correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Gender Diverse Young People: Evidence from a Specialised Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic in Australia.

Research suggests an overrepresentation of autism spectrum diagnoses (ASD) or autistic traits in gender diverse samples, particularly in children and adolescents. Using data from the GENTLE (GENder identiTy Longitudinal Experience) Cohort at the Gender Diversity Service at the Perth Children’s Hospital, the primary objective of the current retrospective chart review was to explore psychopathology and quality of life in gender diverse children with co-occurring ASD relative to gender diverse children and adolescents without ASD. The Social Responsiveness Scale (Second Edition) generates a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) score indicating a likely clinical ASD diagnosis, which was used to partition participants into two groups (indicated ASD, n = 19) (no ASD indicated, n = 60). Indicated ASD was far higher than would be expected compared to general population estimates. Indicated ASD on the Social Responsiveness Scale 2 (SRS 2) was also a significant predictor of Internalising behaviours (Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Thought Problems subscales) on the Youth Self Report. Indicated ASD was also a significant predictor of scores on all subscales of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The current findings indicate that gender diverse children and adolescents with indicated ASD comprise an especially vulnerable group that are at marked risk of mental health difficulties, particularly internalising disorders, and poor quality of life outcomes. Services working with gender diverse young people should screen for ASD, and also provide pathways to appropriate care for the commonly associated mental health difficulties.

Emotional Intelligence, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension among Diverse Adolescents

Social perception is an important aspect of emotional intelligence that affects adolescent functioning at school and in everyday life. This study examined the relationship between Social Perception (affect labeling, matching prosody with facial expressions, and understanding the motives of a speaker) and Reading Comprehension, as well as Listening Comprehension. This is important to consider because understanding emotions, social expressions of emotion, and the motives of others may play a significant role in understanding conversations and stories. Hierarchical linear regressions involving 40 diverse adolescents from across the United States were utilized to see if Social Perception tests administered by psychologists predicted Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension above and beyond education level, gender, and ethnicity. Social Perception predicted Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Tests, Second Edition (WIAT-II), when controlling for education level, gender and ethnicity. The model explained 36% of the variance in reading comprehension and 54% of the variance in listening comprehension. The implications for research and educational practice are considered. For instance, future studies should examine whether listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and emotional intelligence can be increased as part of the same intervention package.

Cumulative Encouragement to Diet From Adolescence to Adulthood: Longitudinal Associations With Health, Psychosocial Well-Being, and Romantic Relationships

PurposeThe aim of the study was to identify whether parent encouragement to diet as an adolescent predicts subsequent encouragement to diet from significant others/romantic partners as an adult and examine longitudinal associations between cumulative encouragement to diet from close relationships (i.e., parent and significant other) and later weight, weight-related, and psychosocial well-being outcomes in adulthood. MethodsData from Project EAT I-IV, a 15-year longitudinal population-based study of socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse adolescents followed into adulthood (n = 1,116; mean age = 31.1 years; 61% female), were used for this study. Surveys and anthropometric measures were completed at school by adolescents in 1998–1999, and follow-up mailed and online surveys were completed at approximately 5-year intervals between 2003 and 2016. ResultsAdolescents who experienced encouragement to diet from their parents were more likely to have a significant other as an adult who also encouraged them to diet. In addition, there was a significant (p < .05) cumulative effect of encouragement to diet, such that experiencing more encouragement to diet from both a parent(s) and significant other was associated with higher weight status, more unhealthy weight-control behaviors (e.g., dieting, binge eating, and unhealthy weight control behaviors), and lower psychosocial well-being (e.g., lower body satisfaction and self-esteem and higher depressive symptoms) as a young adult. ConclusionsEncouragement to diet tracked from one close relationship to another and had a cumulative effect on adult weight, weight-related, and psychosocial well-being outcomes. Future interventions, clinical work, and research should be aware of these patterns and cumulative effects of encouragement to diet to target key relationships to reduce these harmful interpersonal patterns.

Friendship Network Dynamics of Aggressive and Rule-Breaking Antisocial Behaviors in Adolescence

Growing evidence reveals heterogeneity in antisocial behavior and urges the need to distinguish between aggressive and nonaggressive rule-breaking behaviors. This study characterized how aggression and rule-breaking behaviors shaped peer selection and influence. Using a longitudinal social network modeling approach, these questions were addressed in a sample of 1034 ethno-racially diverse early adolescents (49.52% females, Mage = 12.1), who were assessed in fall and spring of the same year. The results showed no evidence of peer selection on aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors, and significant peer influence on aggressive behavior only. Rule-breaking also forecasted a decreased susceptibility to peer influence on aggressive behavior. The findings expanded our knowledge about complex pathways through which heterogeneity in antisocial behavior is reciprocally related to friendship networks.

Effects of Preference on Outcomes of Preventive Interventions among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents At-Risk of Depression

Patient-centered care includes efforts to align treatment with patient preferences to improve outcomes and has not been studied in adolescent depression prevention. Within a school-based randomized trial, we examined the effects of offering a preference between two evidence-based preventive interventions for youth at risk of depression, Learning to BREATHE (L2B) and Interpersonal Therapy–Adolescent Skills Training. We examined the effects of 3 preference factors (assignment condition [preference vs. random], receipt of preferred program, and baseline program preference) on outcomes in a diverse sample of 111 adolescents (M age = 15.18 years, SD = .86): 81 (73%) girls, 45 (41%) White, 40 (36%) Asian American, 8 (7%) Latinx, 1 (1%) African American, and 17 (15%) multiracial or other race/ethnicity. Findings revealed little evidence that receiving a preferred intervention or being given a choice of interventions was linked to greater improvement or initial engagement. Further, analyses did not indicate that adolescents with baseline indications for a specific intervention would benefit more from that intervention; rather, adolescents with generally lower baseline functioning improved more regardless of the intervention received. However, receipt of L2B and a baseline preference for L2B were associated with greater improvements in about half of the outcomes examined, with effect sizes ranging from R 2 = 0.04 to 0.14. There was little support for the need to match interventions to adolescent preferences in school-based prevention efforts. Rather, the more scalable mindfulness-based intervention had stronger effects than the interpersonal intervention and may hold promise for diverse adolescents.

Ethnically Diverse Adolescents Recount Third-Party Actions That Amplify Their Anger and Calm Their Emotions After Perceived Victimization

Third-party adolescents (those aware of peer conflict as neither aggressors nor victims) can help shape their peers’ emotional responses to perceived victimization. Emotion regulation promotes resilience for those who have been victimized, and heightened anger can exacerbate negative outcomes. This study sought to understand how ethnically diverse victimized adolescents described third-party actions that amplified their anger and calmed their emotions—and whether there were gender, racial/ethnic, or school-level patterns. Data were drawn from 264 structured interviews using a multi-method, repeated measures design. Participants were 66 African Americans, 57 European Americans, 64 Mexican Americans, and 77 Native Americans from the Northwest United States. Open- and process-coding identified 16 themes that described third-party actions, and pattern coding provided insight into why particular actions may be perceived as anger-amplifying or calming. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests on action frequencies revealed five actions (e.g., co-ruminating) that were associated with amplifying victims’ anger and eight actions (e.g., reassuring) that were associated with calming victims’ emotions. Group patterns were examined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Programs and interventions may draw on these qualitative accounts of victimized adolescents’ experiences to illustrate how third-party actions might differentially impact peers during or after aggressive incidents.

A qualitative investigation to inform yoga intervention recruitment practices for racial/ethnic minority adolescents in outpatient mental health treatment

ObjectiveYoga is recognized as an effective approach to improving overall physical and mental health; however, there may be perceived barriers to yoga participation, particularly among populations most at risk for mental health issues. We conducted qualitative formative research to help inform recruitment practices for a future study and to specifically understand the barriers and facilitators to engagement in yoga practice among racial/ethnic minority adolescents, as well as adolescents in outpatient mental health treatment. MethodsQualitative data were collected at a community health clinic that serves low income families in southeastern Florida. Using semi structured interviews with racial and ethnic minority adolescents between 12 and 17 years old, participants were asked about beliefs and perceptions about yoga, as well as recommendations on recruiting peers. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify and examine common themes. ResultsTwenty interviews were conducted and eight major themes emerged from the data. Themes were grouped as (1) Facilitators to recruitment and (2) Barriers to recruitment. InterpretationAdvertising free yoga that emphasizes the social, physical, and mental benefits can help assuage negative perceptions of yoga and promote the advantages of yoga among teenagers. Having recruitment materials and modalities that highlight inclusivity of all genders and physical abilities in the yoga classes are also important in facilitating participation. Understanding perceptions of yoga, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators, among racially/ethnically diverse adolescents in outpatient mental health treatment, can assist recruitment efforts, increase yoga intervention participation, and ultimately, improve mental health outcomes for underserved populations.

Exploring Relational Reconciliation Processes in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Families

ObjectiveTo explore personal and interpersonal processes that encourage relational reconciliation in nonclinical religious families.BackgroundFew studies have addressed what reconciliation is and when it is beneficial. Although intergroup reconciliation has been well documented, little research has addressed relational reconciliation in families. We focus on relational reconciliation pertaining to more normative and typical relational hurts and offenses that nearly all families experience, rather than severe offenses that might be best addressed in a clinical setting.MethodUsing systematic qualitative methods, in‐depth interviews from a nonclinical, exemplar sample of 198 religiously, ethnically, and geographically diverse mothers, fathers, and adolescents were coded and analyzed. Research questions focused on what circumstances led to a need for reconciliation, what motivated families to reconcile, how families reconciled, and what benefits families received from reconciling.ResultsFamilies were reportedly motivated to reconcile (a) because of their religious beliefs, (b) because they could see a “bigger picture” beyond the immediate conflict, and (c) because they felt that they had been recipients of God's love and forgiveness. The process of reconciliation involved (a) praying to God for help (spiritual processes), (b) admitting mistakes and taking responsibility (personal processes), (c) forgiving and being forgiven (relational processes), and (d) working to fix problems and make amends (practical processes).ConclusionConsistent with previous research, these processes reportedly fostered self‐healing following relational distance and led to positive relational outcomes.ImplicationsWhen self‐healing does not occur, clinicians, pastoral counselors, and family life educators may play an important role in helping individuals and families develop and incorporate the transformative processes of reconciliation identified in our data.

Diabetes-specific self-esteem, self-care and glycaemic control among adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

To explore the relationships between diabetes-specific self-esteem, self-care and glycaemic control among diverse adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Adolescents (aged 13-21 years) diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for at least one year, receiving care at an urban medical centre, completed a self-report battery including demographic information, the Diabetes-Specific Self-Esteem Scale and Self-Care Inventory. Glycaemic control (HbA1c ) was obtained from medical records at recruitment and one year later. Bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression assessed relationships between the Diabetes-Specific Self-Esteem scale, Self-Care Inventory and HbA1c at baseline and one year. Participants included 85 adolescents (15.9 ± 2.1 years; 53% women; 47% Hispanic/Latino). Diabetes-specific self-esteem scores did not differ based on patient characteristics but were significantly correlated with baseline self-care (r = 0.59, P < 0.001) and HbA1c at baseline (r = -0.51, P < 0.001) and one year later (r = -0.48, P < 0.001). Diabetes-specific self-esteem remained a significant correlate of baseline (β = -0.41, P < 0.001) and follow-up HbA1c (β = -0.37, P = 0.008) when adjusting for covariates and self-care. Diabetes-specific self-esteem was not significantly associated with change in HbA1c . Results suggest that diabetes-specific self-esteem is significantly associated with self-care and glycaemic control among diverse adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Diabetes-specific self-esteem may be more closely related to HbA1c than reports of the frequency of self-care behaviours, and could represent a useful tool for clinical and research applications.

Adolescent Sexting Involvement Over 4 Years and Associations With Sexual Activity

PurposeTo investigate how demographic factors, dating, and sexual behaviors are related to both initial and changing rates of sexting over time, we examined sexting involvement among ethnically diverse adolescents over a 4-year period. MethodsA total of 1,042 participants from seven public high schools throughout southeast Texas (Dating it Safe study) were asked yearly about sexting involvement, as well as sexual and dating behaviors. ResultsUsing latent growth curve modeling, results revealed that males and white participants had greater initial involvement in sexting compared with females and Hispanic and other ethnicities, respectively. In addition, we found that sexting significantly increased over the 4-year period. Finally, participants who had sex and who had more dating partners at each wave were significantly more likely to be involved in sexting than their counterparts, even after controlling for their initial sexting involvement. ConclusionsInvolvement in sexting increases steadily from adolescence into emerging adulthood. The present study extends prior research by identifying a longitudinal association between sexting and sexual activity.

840-P: Lower Health-Care Utilization among Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) Who Receive Culturally Discordant Care

Background: AYA with T1D encounter many challenges in managing their diabetes, such as uncontrolled glycemic levels, higher probability of complications, and poor clinic attendance. AYA minorities often encounter health care disparities that could be addressed with culturally competent care, which considers the patient’s diverse background and sociocultural factors like communication, language, and beliefs that may influence health behaviors. Objective: To assess patient-reported provider cultural competence and health care utilization among diverse AYA population with T1D. Methods: Patients were recruited during routine diabetes outpatient care visits and asked to complete questionnaires on sociodemographic variables, health care utilization, and clinical experiences and cultural competence as assessed by the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS). Results: One-hundred forty three AYA (58.7% Male; 45.5% Latinx, 22.4% non-Latinx white) participated, with an average HbA1c of 9.8% in Latinx and 8.6% in non-Latinx whites. Participants who reported some negative experience with provider cultural competence were marginally lower health care utilizers. Specifically, these AYA went to the ER for diabetes-related problems less frequently (p=0.07), had fewer urgent care visits (p=0.08), went to urgent care for hypoglycemia issues less frequently (p=0.08), and attended fewer diabetes care visits (p=0.07). They also went to urgent care for reasons unrelated to diabetes less frequently (p=0.11) and spent fewer days in the hospital when admitted (p=0.13), but these results were not significant. Conclusions: AYA who experience culturally discordant care may utilize health care less frequently. It is unclear if AYA receiving discordant care need less healthcare support, or if their experiences lead to avoidance of needed care. Our results are hypothesis-generating and further investigation is needed. Disclosure J.J. Flores Garcia: None. J. Raymond: Other Relationship; Self; Insulet Corporation. S. Agarwal: None. A. Torres Sanchez: None. M.W. Reid: None. Funding The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Measurement invariance of depression symptom ratings across African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Caucasian adolescent psychiatric inpatients.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is widely used to assess adolescent depressive symptom severity. Psychometric investigations, including factor-analytic studies, with adolescents support the reliability and validity of the BDI-II. However, a major limitation of this research is that samples have been predominantly Caucasian/White. This is critical because depressive illness is highly prevalent across race and ethnicity, and the extent to which reliability and findings generalize to non-Caucasian populations is in question. The present study recruited African American/Black (n = 96), Hispanic/Latino(a) (n = 151), and Caucasian/White (n = 97) adolescent psychiatric inpatients (Mage = 14.73) to test the measurement invariance of the BDI-II, using Osman and colleagues' two-factor solution while also assessing within-group reliability and concurrent validity by examining associations with other symptom measures. Across groups, the two-factor solution, factor loadings, and indicator thresholds were invariant. Within-group reliability estimates were adequate, and the concurrent validity was supported. This suggests BDI-II symptom comparisons between African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), and Caucasian/White adolescent inpatients are valid. Critical extensions of this work may include the examination of potential invariance across depressive symptom clusters via network analysis and invariance testing of depression symptom ratings over time in ethnoracially diverse children and adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Building Resilience in Transcultural Adolescents: an Evaluation of a Group Program

Objectives This study investigates the effectiveness of Building Resilience in Transcultural Australians (BRiTA Futures) for Adolescents, a strengths-based group intervention developed to build the resilience of culturally and linguistically diverse adolescents who experience acculturation in the context of their migration and resettlement journey. Methods The present study examined the effectiveness of the intervention using qualitative and quantitative procedures. Two hundred and twenty-nine participants (age range 12-20 years) took part in the intervention, offered to them in 3 formats (weekly, over 4 weeks or 2-3 full days). They completed pre and post questionnaires measuring wellbeing and resilience associated with acculturation processes. The participants as well as the facilitators of the intervention completed open-ended questionnaires about the process and short-term impact of the intervention. Results A series of analyses of variances indicated an overall improvement in participants’ wellbeing and resilience associated with the acculturation process. However, this improvement was not influenced by the format of the intervention, gender, visa status (refugee versus migrant), or duration of stay in Australia. Conclusions The qualitative data highlighted new skills learned by the participants as well areas for further improvements. The application of the intervention in school and community settings is discussed.

Invalidation Experiences Among Non-Binary Adolescents

Mental health disparities among transgender adolescents are well documented and have generally been attributed to minority stress. However, significantly less is known about the minority stress experiences of non-binary adolescents or those who do not identify as exclusively male or female. This study qualitatively explored the unique ways that non-binary adolescents experience minority stress and how it influences their mental health and well-being. Lifeline methodology and photo elicitation were used to interview 14 ethnically diverse non-binary adolescents between the ages of 16 and 20, residing in New York City (NYC) and the San Franscicso Bay Area (SFBA). We present participants’ experiences using a novel construct of invalidation, defined as the refusal to accept one’s identity as real or true. Our findings indicate that invalidation is conceptually distinct from the established minority stressor of “non-affirmation.” Non-binary adolescents experienced myriad forms of invalidation within multiple social contexts, which contributed to negative affective and cognitive processes, including confusion, self-doubt, rumination, and internalized shame. For many participants, the cumulative stressors related to invalidation contributed to poor mental health outcomes. Data from this study suggest that identity invalidation is a unique form of minority stress that may especially affect non-binary individuals, with significant implications for their social and emotional well-being.

Examining Positive Youth Development in Diverse Youth Through the Future Career Autobiography

Using a positive youth development (PYD) framework, a qualitative content analysis was conducted on 181 future career autobiographies (FCAs) from diverse middle and high school students in a high-poverty school district. Results indicate that more career development interventions are needed when working with diverse youth. The authors provide implications for school and career counselors working with diverse children and adolescents.

“Book Nerds” United: The Reading Lives of Diverse Adolescents at the Public Library

This research asks the question: How does a public library contribute to the literate lives of a diverse community of adolescents? To explore this question, this article presents portraits of three young women, for whom a public library provided transformative opportunities. These portraits come from a larger ethnographic case study that examined a public library’s role in sparking and sustaining adolescent learning. Over 18 months, the author observed library activities involving youth, interviewed library staff and adolescent patrons, and led teen volunteers in a participatory research project. Data were analyzed in a constant comparative method within a sociocultural-historical framework. Through attention to the girls’ activities within the public library, two contributing elements— 1) a democratic space created by library practices, and 2), the diversity in discourse facilitated by the teen librarian—expanded the participants’ literacy practices and perspectives on reading. This article informs our understanding of diversity in adolescent literacy and highlights the practices that libraries and communities can use to foster the next generation of readers.

Understanding of and Barriers to Electronic Health Record Patient Portal Access in a Culturally Diverse Pediatric Population.

BackgroundElectronic health records (EHRs) have become a standard in the health care setting. In an effort to improve health literacy, foster doctor-patient communication, and ease the transition from adolescent to adult care, our institution created a policy that allows patients aged between 13 and 17 years to have EHR portal access. A literature review revealed predictable differences in portal registration among different ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. Consequently, a cross-sectional survey was developed to investigate barriers to EHR portal access in a sample of culturally diverse adolescents.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess for barriers to EHR portal access in a culturally diverse adolescent population.MethodsA 42-item anonymous survey was completed by 97 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years, attending general pediatrics clinics. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t tests.ResultsThe average participant age was 15.5 (SD 1.5) years with 60% (58/97) male and 40% (39/97) female. Participants were 44% (43/97) black, 41% (40/97) Hispanic, 9% (9/97) Caucasian, 3% (3/97) Asian, and 2% (2/97) others. There were statistically significant differences in perceptions of confidentiality in age (13 to 15 years vs 16 to 18 years; P=.001) and insurance status (government vs private; P=.012) but not in gender, ethnicity, or parental education level. Younger adolescents with governmental insurance were more confident in the level of confidentiality with their physician. A total of 94% of participants had heard of the term EHR, but only 55% were familiar with its function. Furthermore, 77% of patients primarily accessed the internet through phones, and 50% of participants knew that patients aged under 18 years could obtain care for mental health, substance abuse, sexual health, and pregnancy.ConclusionsThis research has identified gaps in EHR technology with regard to the pediatric patient population. The results of our survey show that adolescents may have misconceptions regarding the doctor-patient relationship, their ability to obtain care, and the modalities present in an EHR. As technology progresses, it is essential to have a deeper understanding of adolescents’ perceptions of confidentiality, technology, and available resources to design an EHR system that encourages patient education and communication while limiting barriers to care.

Parent–Teen Group versus Dyadic Treatment for Adolescent ADHD: What Works for Whom?

The goal of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of 2 clinic-based psychosocial treatment modalities for adolescent attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and identify characteristics that facilitate patient-modality matching. Culturally diverse adolescents with ADHD (N = 123) were randomized to 1 of 2 versions of a parent–teen psychosocial treatment for ADHD (Supporting Teens’ Autonomy Daily [STAND]): (a) group parent and adolescent skills training or (b) dyadic skills training blended with motivational interviewing. Participants were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up on ADHD symptom severity and functional treatment targets. Differences in therapy process and cost were documented. Modality differences in outcome were examined using linear mixed and general linear models. Each modality successfully engaged the proposed therapy processes. Dyadic and group STAND produced equivalent overall outcomes. However, the dyadic modality demonstrated superior efficacy when parents had elevated ADHD or depression symptoms or high conflict with the teen. Families with lower parent education level and higher parental depression showed lower overall attendance; married parents were more likely to attend dyadic STAND (vs. group). Naturalistic stimulant medication did not influence treatment outcome. At less than one third of the cost of dyadic treatment, group models may be an economical option for treating parents and adolescents with ADHD. Screening adolescents with ADHD for parental psychopathology and parent–teen conflict may allow clinics to match higher risk patients to more personalized approaches that can enhance efficacy.

Longitudinal associations between sexting, cyberbullying, and bullying among adolescents: Cross-lagged panel analysis

IntroductionWhile adolescent sexting, or the sending of sexually explicit images, has been cross-sectionally associated with bullying and cyberbullying, there is a lack of longitudinal studies in this area. To address this gap in the literature, we examined the longitudinal link between sexting and 1) traditional, in-person, bullying victimization and 2) cyberbullying victimization. MethodsWe used data from a longitudinal study of ethnically diverse adolescents recruited from multiple public high schools in southeast Texas. Three waves of data were used (T2, T3 and T4). Cross-lagged panel analysis was performed in Mplus to analyze the data. Results & ConclusionsCross-lagged panel analyses identified autoregressive effects for all three variables, and cross-lagged effects for cyberbullying. Sexting was associated with subsequent cyberbullying victimization across all time points, and T3 cyberbullying victimization was associated with engagement in sexting one year later. Furthermore, T2 cyberbullying victimization indirectly associated with T4 sexting via T3 cyberbullying victimization. For traditional bullying, a cross-lagged effect was found between T3 sexting and T4 offline bullying victimization. Although T2 sexting did not directly link to subsequent traditional bullying victimization, a significant mediation effect was identified such that T3 sexting mediated the effects of T2 sexting on T4 traditional bullying victimization. Results show that sexting adolescents may be at risk for (cyber)bullying victimization and highlight the need to address both sexting and bullying in prevention and intervention efforts.