Peer Victimization in Childhood and Internalizing Problems in Adolescence: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Traumatic childhood experiences have been found to predict later internalizing problems. This prospective longitudinal study investigated whether repeated and intentional harm doing by peers (peer victimization) in childhood predicts internalizing symptoms in early adolescence. 3692 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), as well as their mothers and teachers, reported on bullying in childhood (7-10 years) and internalizing problems in early adolescence (11-14 years). Controlling for prior psychopathology, family adversity, gender and IQ, being a victim of bullying was associated with higher overall scores, as well as increased odds of scoring in the severe range (>90 th percentile) for emotional and depression symptoms. Victims were also more likely to show persistent depression symptoms over a 2-year period. These associations were found independent of whether mothers, teachers or the children reported on bullying. It is concluded that peer victimization in childhood is a precursor of both short-lived and persistent internalizing symptoms, underlining the importance of environmental factors such as peer relationships in the etiology of internalizing problems.

Bully/victims: a longitudinal, population-based cohort study of their mental health

“…It may be that stable victimisation may have adverse impact on increasing depression or anxiety symptoms, i.e. shifting the distribution of scores [14] and impair functioning in social settings such as wealth and employability in adulthood rather than mental health per se [10]. However, here as previously [14], no significant difference in clinical diagnoses between those who were chronically or unstably victimized were found.…”

“…It has been suggested that children who are chronically victimized by their peers may be different from those who are occasionally victimized in terms of risk and outcomes [37]. Indeed, previously we reported that chronic victimisation in elementary school was associated with increased depression scores in early adolescence [14]. However, it was not associated with increased DSM-IV diagnosis of depression.…”

“…This is in contrast to those that are the victims of bullying. Victims are at increased risk for developing a range of mental health problems [13] including depression and anxiety [14,15], psychotic experiences [16,17] and an increased risk of self-harm and attempting or completing suicide [18,19]. They are also more often alone [20] and rejected at school [21].…”

Bullying of Preterm Children and Emotional Problems at School Age: Cross-Culturally Invariant Effects

“…1 Bullying may be verbal, physical or relational 2 and has been found to predict a range of mental health problems 3 including emotional problems and depression. 4,5 The longer children have been bullied the more severe mental health effects have been reported. 5 Those who are targeted by bullies are often physically weak, unassertive, or poor in understanding social cues 6 look different or are less popular than other peers.…”

“…4,5 The longer children have been bullied the more severe mental health effects have been reported. 5 Those who are targeted by bullies are often physically weak, unassertive, or poor in understanding social cues 6 look different or are less popular than other peers. 7 Pediatric populations may be at increased risk 8 and three crosssectional studies reported that preterm children are more often bullied (victims) 9-11 whereas a fourth reported no differences.…”