Overt Victimization Research Articles

Longitudinal associations between changes in peer victimization and emotion dysregulation across adolescence.

Emotion dysregulation emerges from an interaction between individual factors and environmental factors. Changes in biological, cognitive, and social systems that characterize adolescence create a complex array of environmental factors contributing to emotion dysregulation during this developmental period. In particular, peer victimization (PV) has long-term consequences for emotion dysregulation. Yet, previous research has also indicated that emotion dysregulation can be both an antecedent to and outcome of PV. The present study evaluated reciprocal associations between longitudinal changes within repeated measures of PV and emotion dysregulation across adolescence and into young adulthood. The sample included 167 adolescents (53% male, Mage = 14.07 years at Time 1) who participated in a longitudinal study across five time points, with approximately 1 year between each assessment. Latent change score modeling was used to examine reciprocal associations between PV and emotion dysregulation. Results emphasize bidirectional associations between PV and emotion dysregulation. Consistent with social information processing theory, greater emotion dysregulation predicted greater relational and overt victimization over time. Moreover, higher overt victimization predicted increases in emotion dysregulation. Our results offer insights toward developmentally informed longitudinal, transactional models linking negative social environments, and emotion dysregulation development across adolescence and into young adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining the pathways between overt and relational victimization, loneliness, phobic anxiety, and suicidal ideation

BackgroundAlthough previous studies have confirmed the adverse effects of being bullied on suicide, only few studies have established an association between overt and relational victimization and suicidal ideation simultaneously, and the mechanism of how these two forms of victimization triggers suicidal ideation remains unknown. ObjectiveThis study aimed to expand the literature by exploring the relationship between overt and relational victimization and suicidal ideation and the potential function of phobic anxiety and loneliness. MethodAn analytic sample of 552 students aged 13–16 years (52 % females) were recruited from 4 junior high schools. The collected data were analyzed by structural equation modeling. ResultsThe link from overt victimization to suicidal ideation was not significant as phobic anxiety fully mediated this relationship. Relational victimization was linked to suicidal ideation not only directly but also indirectly through loneliness. ConclusionUnpacking the mechanisms underlying the link between overt and relational victimization and suicidal ideation is an essential concern for social workers and educators working with victimized students.

Trajectories and latent classes of school enjoyment in adolescence: Associations with peer victimization and mental health.

School enjoyment, as a measure of how much adolescents enjoy or value their school experience, has been extensively studied in Western cultures. However, our knowledge of school enjoyment, and particularly its changes and trajectories among adolescents living in non-Western cultures, is limited. The present study used 3-year longitudinal data to examine changes and trajectories in school enjoyment and their associations with social and relational factors, such as mental health problems and peer victimization, among Japanese middle school students. Participants were 281 Japanese students from two public middle schools (Time 1 Mage = 12.72, SD = .45, 50% female). Data included five time points at 6-month intervals (Grades 7-9). The growth curve model showed quadratic changes in school enjoyment overall; the mean of school enjoyment was relatively stable in Grades 7 and 8 but increased rapidly in Grade 9. In terms of individual differences in trajectories of school enjoyment, growth mixture modeling identified three distinct groups (i.e., groups of 44.8% increasing, 9.8% decreasing, and 45.4% stable). Compared to students in the other groups, students in the increasing group initially reported lower levels of mental health problems and experienced less relational and overt victimization. In contrast, the decreasing group reported higher levels of mental health problems and experienced more relational and overt victimization than the increasing group. The results inform us about the most adaptive group, which continued to show high levels of school enjoyment, and the most maladaptive group, which initially had lower levels of school enjoyment and decreased their levels over time. The latter group of students is at risk and requires immediate intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Longitudinal Study of Forms of Peer Victimization and Internalizing Problems in Adolescence.

The present study examined developmental changes in forms of peer victimization and longitudinal associations between forms of peer victimization and internalizing problems among Japanese adolescents. Participants were 271 students (Time 1M age = 12.72, SD = 0.45, 50% girls) from 9 classrooms and 2 public middle schools in Japan. Data were collected at five time points from 7th to 9th grade. Growth curve modeling (GCM) of mean changes indicated that relational victimization and internalizing problems decreased over three school years. Overt victimization first decreased and then remained relatively constant toward the end of the assessment. In addition, the results of the Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) indicated that the random intercept of relational victimization was positively and strongly correlated with that of internalizing problems. Although the random intercept of overt victimization was positively correlated with that of internalizing problems, the effect size was small to moderate. In general, there were no significant within-person changes between relational and overt victimization and internalizing problems. However, some exceptions were noted towards the end of middle school, such that higher relational victimization was associated with increases in internalizing problems, which in turn led to more relational victimization. There were no gender differences in the above trajectories or in the transactional models. The findings regarding at-risk youth who are vulnerable to relational and overt victimization are discussed from clinical, cultural, and developmental perspectives.

Companion animals and the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation in youth.

Peer victimization can negatively impact emotion regulation in youth and is associated with harmful mental health outcomes. One protective factor against the impacts of peer victimization is a strong attachment to family and positive peer relationships. Given that pets are commonly seen as family members and that youth report turning to their pet for emotional comfort, companion animals could provide an avenue of support for youth experiencing victimization. A geographically diverse sample of 5725 adolescents in the United States from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® was used to explore whether the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation was moderated by whether a pet lives in the home. Having a pet in the home did not moderate the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation; however, mean-level differences were present across types of household pet (i.e., youth with no pets, youth with at least one dog, and youth with non-dog pets). Participants who did not live with a companion animal showed higher levels of both maladaptive emotion regulation (expressive suppression) and adaptive emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal), suggesting that having a pet might lower overall emotion regulation pathways regardless of adaptive directionality. Relational victimization was a significant predictor of expressive suppression regardless of whether there was a pet in the home, although overt victimization was not a predictor of either kind of emotion regulation. This research demonstrates the complex nature of human-animal relationships and suggests more research is needed to understand the nuanced relationship between pets, peer victimization, and emotion regulation.

The Long Shadow of Exposure to Early-Life Adversity

The Long Shadow of Exposure to Early-Life Adversity

Transactional Relations Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms Among Youth at Risk of Developing Depression: Evidence for Gender Differences.

Offspring of mothers with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) are at high risk of developing the disorder themselves, yet specific mechanisms of risk remain unclear. One hypothesized mechanism is interpersonal stress, which has been shown to be elevated in offspring of mothers with a history of MDD. The goal of this study was to examine the role of a specific form of interpersonal stress, peer victimization (overt and relational). In doing so, we not only examined the impact of peer victimization on changes in youth depression, but also youth depression on changes in peer victimization, consistent with stress generation models. Participants were 251 mothers with (n = 129) or without (n = 122) a history of MDD and their child (aged 8-14 years at baseline) who were assessed every six months for two years. Using random intercepts cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM), we were able to separate between-subject effects (mother MDD group differences in average levels of peer victimization and offspring depressive symptoms) and within-subject effects (transactional influences between within-subject fluctuations in peer victimization and depressive symptoms among offspring over time). Overall, these effects were stronger for relational victimization than for overt victimization and stronger for girls than boys. These results support the role of peer victimization, particularly relational victimization, as a risk factor among offspring of mothers with MDD, particularly girls, and highlight transactional relations between relational victimization and depressive symptoms in girls over time, which may create a vicious cycle of risk.

Longitudinal associations between coping and peer victimization: Moderation by gender and initial peer victimization.

Stress coping theories suggest that the effectiveness of coping depends on the level of stress experienced. Existing research shows that efforts to cope with high levels of peer victimization may not prevent subsequent peer victimization. Additionally, associations between coping and peer victimization often differ between boys and girls. The present study included 242 participants (51% girls; 34% Black, 65% White; Mage = 15.75 years). Adolescents reported on coping with peer stress at age 16 and on overt and relational peer victimization at ages 16 and 17. Greater use of primary control engaged coping (e.g., problem-solving) was associated positively with overt peer victimization for boys with higher initial overt victimization. Primary control coping was also associated positively with relational victimization regardless of gender or initial relational peer victimization. Secondary control coping (e.g., cognitive distancing) was associated negatively with overt peer victimization. Secondary control coping was also associated negatively with relational victimization for boys. Greater use of disengaged coping (e.g., avoidance) was associated positively with overt and relational peer victimization for girls with higher initial victimization. Gender differences and the context and level of stress should be considered in future research and interventions related to coping with peer stress.

Early co-occurrence of peer victimization and aggression.

An accelerated longitudinal research design was used to examine heterogeneity in the developmental co-occurrence of peer relational victimization and aggression and of peer overt victimization and aggression from age 4.5 to 10.5 years. Data were gathered from four cohorts of children in kindergarten to Grade 3 (N = 503) on six occasions across 2 years. Psychopathology, peer, and social-cognitive factors were examined as predictors of the joint trajectories. Sequential process latent growth mixture models identified four distinct subgroups for the relational trajectories (co-occurring increasing aggression, co-occurring increasing victimization, high chronic victimization, typical low risk) and four distinct subgroups for the overt trajectories (co-occurring decelerating aggression, high chronic victimization, moderate chronic victimization, typical low risk). Membership in the co-occurring trajectories was associated with psychopathology and membership in the chronic victimization trajectories was related to internalizing and social-cognitive problems but also peer likeability.

Predictors of peer victimisation in the context of secondary school

Introduction Peer victimisation is defined as the experience of being the target of aggressive behaviour, by one or more peers. This presents several configurations, and in this sense the study of multiple types of victimisation is emphasised [1]. Research supports the need of studying protective and risk factors for victimisation in light of the ecological model, once it highlights the connection between individual characteristics, family, school and community [2]. Two main objectives will be analysed: (a) the risk factors associated with four global types of victimisation (overt, reactive overt, relational and reactive relational) and seven subtypes of victimisation behaviours that the adolescent’s might experience (e.g. social manipulation, social exclusion) using the ecological model; (b) discuss how the study of risk factors contributes to the strategies to be outlined in the context of an intervention program. Materials and methods 584 high school adolescents participated in this quasi-experimental study, aged between 12 and 19 years (M = 15.20; DP = 1.90). The participants completed: School aggression and violence: Victimisation symptoms and behaviours Questionnaire [3], Perception of Social-Family Support and Perception of Peer Support Scales [4], Parental Support Questionnaire – Short Form [5], and School Climate Questionnaire [6]. Ethics committee approved the investigation and informed consent was obtained from parents. The questionnaires (anonymous and confidential) were completed in a classroom context. Using Hierarchical Linear Regression, two models were built, in which the qualitative variables (e.g. age, gender) were first inserted, followed by the factors peer support, family and school climate. Results The global types of victimisation were better explained by reactive relational victimisation (18.60% of total variance) while the specific types of victimisation by the harassment model (19.30% of the total variance), both by the factor social support from family and friends (respectively 13.80% and 10.70% of the variance). In short, boys showed a higher risk of overt victimisation, while girls reported more relational victimisation. Perceiving a poor support from family and friends places the adolescents at a higher risk of peer victimisation by harassment, but also by exclusion/social isolation, coercion, intimidation, threats and aggressiveness. The higher the perception of a school climate characterised by violence, the higher the risk of peer victimisation, specifically by harassment. No cases of victimisation per bullying were identified. Discussion and conclusions The risk factors found were indicative that these adolescents would benefit from a universal intervention model. These are developed in the classroom context for all students and do not include a selection of subjects with a specific need for intervention. Strategies should be oriented towards socio-emotional interventions, which include emotional management and interpersonal conflicts. These have shown good results in reducing violence in young people, including bullying, but also in reducing disruptive behaviours in the classroom. Greater knowledge of teachers and administrative staff, but also parents, and using rules that promote social inclusion, would facilitate the identification and signalling of students at risk. School administrations should adopt more integrated prevention policies and not only sanctioning measures, promoting a school climate perceived as protective and without violence.

Victimization, Student-Teacher Relations and Psychological Problems among Adolescents

The school environment plays a key role in thwarting and nurturing mental health among students. The present study examines the relationship between victimisation experiences and psychological problems. The study also explores the relationship between teacher-student relationships and psychological problems. A sample of 200 students comprising 100 males and 100 females in the age group 12 to 16 years was used. One-way ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were carried out. Overt victimisation, relational victimisation and teacher humiliation positively predicted psychological problems. Overt victimisation was consistently related to both internalising problems and externalising problems among adolescents. The findings have implications for school-based interventions aimed at fostering resilience among students. DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2021.82.1.17-42 Authors: Narayanan Annalakshmi is Professor; and Kumar Deepak is Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Depressive Symptoms Prospectively Predict Peer Victimization: A Longitudinal Study Among Adolescent Females.

Research has consistently demonstrated a relationship between peer victimization, a major issue in early adolescence, and depression. However, longitudinal studies examining the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms have yielded mixed results. Thus, the current study examined how specific aspects of peer victimization and subtypes of depressive symptoms are related over a two-year period. Adolescent females (N = 265) completed a questionnaire battery at baseline and two-year follow-up. Results indicated that baseline depressive symptoms prospectively predict peer overt victimization, relational victimization, and decreased prosocial behaviors at follow-up; baseline peer victimization did not predict depressive symptoms at follow-up. Further, results demonstrate the differential predictive value of specific depressive symptoms for overt vs. relational aggression and decreased prosocial behavior. Taken together, this study provides insight into the impact of depressive symptoms on peer victimization and the importance of addressing peer relations in the context of treatment for adolescent depression.

Mediator of school belongingness and moderator of migration status in the relationship between peer victimization and depression among Chinese children: A multi-group structural equation modeling approach

Peer victimization is a widespread threat to children's mental health. However, existing literature has yet to thoroughly investigate the mediators and moderators underlying the link between peer victimization and depression of Chinese children. Using a sample of school-aged children recruited through a multi-stage cluster random sampling in Southwest China (N = 1322), this study examined the mediating role of school belongingness between overt/relational victimization and children's depressive symptoms. In order to test the moderator of migration status, multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to investigate whether the paths in the mediation model were significantly different across migrant and non-migrant groups. Results indicated that overt and relational victimization had a direct impact on depression. School belongingness mediated the link between overt victimization and depression, but not the link between relational victimization and depression. Furthermore, migration status moderated the direct associations between peer victimization and depression. Specifically, the effect of overt victimization on depression was significant for migrant children but not for local children. By contrast, the effect of relational victimization on depression was significant for local children but not for migrant children. The contributions and implications of this study were discussed.

Peer-Related Factors as Moderators between Overt and Social Victimization and Adjustment Outcomes in Early Adolescence.

Peer victimization is a pervasive problem for early adolescents, yet not all victims experience the same adjustment difficulties. The prominence of peer social relationships during adolescence suggests that peer-related factors (e.g., peer support) may be important for victim outcomes. This study investigated the moderating effects of three peer-related factors (peer support, peer preference, and social status) on the association between peer victimization (overt and social) and adjustment outcomes (loneliness and aggression) using a longitudinal design. Self-report and peer nomination data were collected from 321 participants from three middle schools in the Northeastern United States during the fall and spring of seventh grade (Mage = 13.01; 49% African American, 31% White, 19% Hispanic). The findings suggest that peer-related factors contribute to victim outcomes. Both forms of victimization were positively associated with loneliness under high peer preference and were negatively associated with aggression under low peer preference. Sex differences were also noted. Overt victimization was associated with decreased aggression only among girls under low peer preference, low peer support, or high social status. The findings suggest that parents, school officials, and mental health professionals should consider peer-related factors in providing support for victims, especially female victims.

Perceived Family and Friend Support Moderate Pathways From Peer Victimization to Substance Use in Early-Adolescent Girls and Boys: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis

This study examined gender differences in a moderated-mediation model examining whether perceived social support moderated depressive symptom and academic achievement mediation pathways from peer victimization to substance use among 1,334 U.S. early adolescents (11-14 years, 50% girls, 51% White). Surveys were administered in schools at three 6-month intervals. Multiple group analyses suggested that the moderated-mediation model differed for boys and girls. Indirect effects suggested that declines in academic achievement mediated the relationship between peer victimization and substance use for girls and boys, while elevated depressive symptoms mediated this relationship for girls only. Higher family and friend support attenuated the relationship between overt victimization and academic achievement for boys and between relational victimization and depressive symptoms for girls. These findings implicate two risk pathways that account for why peer victimization enhances substance use risk and emphasize the importance of perceived support following peer victimization during early adolescence. Gender differences require replication.

Psychological well-being and distress in adolescents: An investigation into associations with poverty, peer victimization, and self-esteem

Poverty is negatively linked to adolescents’ mental health. However, little is known about the underlying process that mediates this relationship. This study aims to examine the association among poverty, peer victimization, self-esteem, and mental health of adolescents. Data are collected through a multistage cluster random sampling in Hebei, China (N = 1280; mean age = 15.68; 47.4% male). Structural equation modeling is adopted to examine the hypothetical model using AMOS 24.0. Results reveal that the mechanisms linking poverty to adolescent mental health differ in terms of victimization types (overt or relational). Relational victimization and self-esteem partially mediate the relationship between poverty and psychological well-being and fully mediate the relationship between poverty and psychological distress after gender, age, hukou status, and family socioeconomic status are controlled. However, the mediating effect of overt victimization is not significant. The overall model accounts for 27% and 24.8% of the variance in psychological well-being and distress, respectively. This study contributes to an improved understanding of the mediating mechanisms underlying poverty and mental health. The implications of the present findings for social work interventions and social policies are also discussed.

Longitudinal relations between emotional awareness and expression, emotion regulation, and peer victimization among urban adolescents

IntroductionThere are potential long-term psychosocial effects of experiencing peer victimization during adolescence, including: internalizing symptoms, externalizing behaviors, and risks behaviors such as substance use. While social-emotional theories of development note associations between deficits in emotion competencies and peer victimization in childhood, these associations are less established among adolescent samples. Identifying which inadequacies in emotional competence place particular adolescents at risk for peer victimization may provide insight into the developmental pathways leading to unfavorable outcomes. MethodsThe current study examined the relation between emotional competence and overt peer victimization among adolescents. Adolescents living in a mid-sized urban city in the southeastern region of the United States (N = 357; Mage = 12.14 years, 92% African American) reported their emotional awareness and reluctance to express emotion at baseline. Two years later, adolescents reported their regulation of anger and caregivers reported on adolescents' global emotion regulation. Adolescents also reported on occurrences of overt peer victimization during the previous 30 days at baseline and during the two-year follow up. ResultsOur hypothesized model fit the data adequately. Greater emotion awareness was associated with higher scores on caregiver-rated emotion regulation and adolescent-rated anger regulation two years later, and in turn, lower frequencies of overt victimization by peers. Further, greater expressive reluctance was associated with greater anger regulation, and in turn, lower frequencies of overt victimization by peers. Patterns of associations did not vary by sex or age. ConclusionsThe present study extends models of social-emotional development and peer interactions into the development age stage of adolescence.

Relational victimization and peer affiliate prosocial behaviors in African American adolescents: Moderating effects of gender and antisocial behavior

IntroductionExperiencing relational victimization (e.g., peer exclusion, untrue rumors) during adolescence can have negative social–emotional consequences, including increased antisocial behavior and substance use. The negative impact of relational victimization may be lessened by spending time with supportive, prosocial peers. MethodsThis study examined the concurrent and predictive associations between relational victimization and peer affiliates' prosocial behaviors in 244 predominately African American adolescents (ages 13–14) living in U.S. urban neighborhoods. Questionnaires were collected every six months for two years. Overt victimization was controlled for in the analysis and the moderation of gender and antisocial behaviors were tested. ResultsPeer affiliates' prosocial behavior was stable across the two years. Relational victimization was not associated with peers' prosocial behavior at baseline or across time. Gender did not moderate the association between relational victimization and peers' prosocial behavior. Moderating effects were found for antisocial behavior; relational victimization was positively associated with peer affiliates' prosocial behavior but only for adolescents who were low on antisocial behavior at baseline. ConclusionsFor African American youth, efforts to reduce relational aggression and increase peer support in prosocial activities prior to adolescence may be useful for preventing social–emotional problems.

Health correlates, addictive behaviors, and peer victimization among adolescents in China

Peer victimization has been recognized as a common social problem affecting children and adolescents in all parts of the world. This study aims to examine the prevalence of different types of peer victimization and to evaluate the associations between peer victimization and health correlates. Using a large population sample of 18,341 adolescents aged 15-17 years from 6 cities in China, this study estimated the prevalence of different types of peer victimization, addictive behaviors, and health-related variables with self-administrated questionnaires. A three-phase logistical regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between peer victimization and addictive behaviors as well as health-related factors among adolescents. A total of 42.9% of the surveyed Chinese adolescents have been bullied by peers, with boys reporting higher rate on overt victimization (36.9%) and girls on relational forms (33.9%). School environment (34.7%) was the most frequent scene of peer violence, followed by neighborhood, family, and internet. Addictive behaviors except substance abuse were found related to higher possibility of peer victimization (aOR 1.21-1.73, P < 0.001). Peer victimization was significantly associated with more depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and suicide ideation and deliberate self-harm (aOR 1.05-2.27, P < 0.001), and poorer self-esteem and health-related quality of life (aOR 0.95-0.97, P < 0.001). Possible explanations of the associations found in this study are discussed and implications for future services are raised.

Justification of Wife Beating in Adolescents: Associated Beliefs and Behaviors.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents who are exposed to social norms related to violence against women are more likely to experience or be perpetrators of intimate partner violence. This study evaluated factors hypothesized to be associated with acceptance of wife beating among 240 male and female adolescents aged 10-16 years participating in a World Vision program in Armenia. Acceptance of wife beating was associated with relational victimization, perceived social support, and parent and community boundaries and expectations, but was not associated with overt victimization or aggression. These findings highlight several areas that may be important for violence prevention research.