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Zheng H, Zhou Y, Fu L, Eli B, Han R, Liu Z. A Latent Transition Analysis of Aggression Victimization Patterns During the Transition from Primary to Middle School. J Youth Adolesc 2024; 53:1564-1578. [PMID: 38217836 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01931-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
School transitions provide contexts for adolescents to reconstruct peer relationships and re-establish social positions. Scarce research has captured the transition of aggressor and victim roles during this period and examined associated factors. To investigate the stability and shifts of aggressor and victim roles following the transition to middle school, this study conducted latent transition analysis with 1261 Chinese adolescents (32.6% female, Mage in Grade 6 = 12.1 years, SD = 0.7). Three subgroups were identified across Grades 5 to 8: aggressive-victims, victims and uninvolved. Adolescents were more likely to transition from aggressive-victim and victim roles to the uninvolved group during the transition to middle school compared to the transitions within the same educational phase. Males and those with insecure parental attachment were at higher risk of being and remaining in the involved groups. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of adolescent aggression and victimization and highlight the transition to middle school as a critical window for interventions aimed at helping adolescents disengage from aggression and victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Yueyue Zhou
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, PR China
| | - Lin Fu
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Buzohre Eli
- Department of Psychology, Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi, PR China
| | - Ru Han
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhengkui Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
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Zhou Y, Li J, Li J, Wang Y, Li X. Latent profiles of bullying perpetration and victimization: Gender differences and family variables. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 149:106682. [PMID: 38325164 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND School bullying is a prevalent issue that threatens the psychological and social well-being of adolescents. However, little research has investigated how gender and family variables were related to bullying-involvement patterns among adolescents with siblings. OBJECTIVE This study explored gender differences in the profiles of bullying involvement and the relationship between sibling, parental variables, and these profiles among Chinese adolescents. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Participants (N = 1,060; 46.0 % boys; Mage = 15.53) were recruited from junior and senior high schools in Jiangxi and Guizhou Provinces, China. METHODS Bullying involvement, sibling warmth and conflict, and parental psychological maltreatment and neglect were assessed by self-report questionnaire. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups with distinct bullying involvement patterns, then multiple logistic regressions were performed to investigate the associations between family variables and bullying-involvement subgroups. RESULTS We found gender differences in both the latent profiles of bullying involvement and the associations between profiles and family variables. Only boys were identified severe bully-victims (3.39 %), while only girls were categorized as relational bully-victims (20.18 %). Boys and girls were similarly represented among uninvolved students (70.76 % vs. 66.85 %), moderate bully-victims (15.25 % vs. 6.49 %), and victims (10.59 % vs. 6.49 %). Students with more sibling warmth manifested less likelihood of engaging in bullying-related profiles, with more parental psychological maltreatment, and more parental neglect manifested more likelihood of engaging in bullying-related profiles only among girls. While students with more sibling conflict were related to more bullying-related profiles among boys than girls. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize the importance of developing gender-specific bullying intervention strategies that also consider relevant family factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukai Zhou
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jieqi Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiamei Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingqian Wang
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Ettekal I, Li H, Chaudhary A, Luo W, Brooker RJ. Chronic, increasing, and decreasing peer victimization trajectories and the development of externalizing and internalizing problems in middle childhood. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1756-1774. [PMID: 35574659 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Children's peer victimization trajectories and their longitudinal associations with externalizing and internalizing problems were investigated from Grades 2 to 5. Secondary data analysis was performed with the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K-2011; n = 13,860, M age = 8.1 years old in the spring of Grade 2; 51.1% male, 46.7% White, 13.2% African-American, 25.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, and 6.1% other or biracial). Children who experienced high and persistent levels of peer victimization (high-chronic victims) exhibited co-occurring externalizing and internalizing problems. Moreover, among high-chronic victims, boys had a more pronounced increase in their externalizing trajectories, and girls had greater increases in their social anxiety trajectories. In contrast, those with decreasing peer victimization across time exhibited signs of recovery, particularly with respect to their social anxiety. These findings elucidated how chronic, increasing, and decreasing victims exhibited distinct patterns in the co-occurring development of their externalizing and internalizing problems, and how findings varied depending on the form of problem behavior and by child sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idean Ettekal
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Anjali Chaudhary
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Wen Luo
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca J Brooker
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Lo Cricchio MG, Musso P, Lo Coco A, Inguglia C, Liga F, Bowker JC, Rubin KH. Peer Reputation Configurations and Associations with Friendship Adjustment. J Genet Psychol 2023; 184:339-355. [PMID: 37172136 PMCID: PMC10524753 DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2023.2205463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Peer reputation (PR) refers to how peer groups collectively view an individual in terms of socio-behavioral characteristics, such as aggression, social withdrawal, leadership, and prosociality. Despite considerable research on PR, few studies have considered PRs in relation to indices of friendship, particularly with a person-centered approach. The goal of the current study was to adopt such an approach and identify peer reputation configurations and their defining characteristics, and to examine how such configurations are linked to friendship prevalence and quality. Four hundred and twenty-six Italian seventh-grade students (57.3% male, Mage = 12.07) completed peer nomination measures of PR and reported on their friendships. Their mutual best friends were subsequently determined, and a friendship quality measure was completed. Teachers rated participants' problem behaviors and competencies. Cluster analytic methods produced four PR configurations that were defined by the following characteristics: (1) Shy/Excluded/Victimized, (2) Normative, (3) Aggressive/Arrogant, and (4) Prosocial/Popular. Teacher ratings supported these configurations such that Prosocial/Popular students were rated the lowest in problem behaviors and Shy/Excluded/Victimized and Aggressive/Arrogant were the highest in learning problems. Additional analyses showed numerous linkages between the configurations and friendship. For instance, Prosocial/Popular students were more likely to have mutual and satisfying friendships relative to students in the other groups. These findings provide new insights into the complex linkages between group- and dyadic-level peer experiences during early adolescence and may inform prevention and intervention efforts aimed at Shy/Excluded/Victimized youth struggling with peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Lo Cricchio
- Department of Human Science, University of Studies of Basilicata, via N. Sauro 85 – 85100 Potenza (Italy)
| | - Pasquale Musso
- Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari (Italy), Palazzo Chiaia – Napolitano, Floor 4 - Room 406, via Scipione Crisanzio, 42 70122 - Bari, Italy
| | - Alida Lo Coco
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo (Italy), viale delle Scienze, Ed.15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristiano Inguglia
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement. University of Palermo (Italy), viale delle Scienze, Ed.15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Liga
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università di Messina, via Bivona, n. 6/7 - 98122 Messina (Italy)
| | - Julie C. Bowker
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Buffalo, 216 Park Hall, Buffalo NY, 14260-4110
| | - Kenneth H. Rubin
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology (HDQM), 3942 Campus Drive, Benjamin Building (143), Suite 3304, College Park, MD 20742-1131
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Social Adjustment of Problem-Talk Partners Moderates Associations Between Self-Perceived Victimization and Depressive Symptoms. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:369-382. [PMID: 36383307 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-00992-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines the moderating role of problem-talk partnerships with peers who are rejected, victimized, or unpopular on links between self-perceived victimization by peers and depressive symptoms. Problem-talk partnerships are friendships that involve frequent discussion of problems and personal struggles. 267 adolescents (152 girls; mean age of 14.4 years) participated in a short-term prospective study with identical measures administered in two annual waves. The adolescents completed a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing peer victimization and depression. They also completed a peer nomination inventory and identified friends with whom they frequently discuss problems. High levels of peer nominated victimization, social rejection, and unpopularity among problem-talk partners were linked to elevated associations between self-reported victimization and depressive symptoms. The effects for unpopularity levels among problem-talk partners were moderated by gender. Compared to boys, girls' adjustment was more strongly influenced by unpopularity among problem-talk partners. Conversely, friendships with peers who were not problem-talk partners did not have a consistent moderating role. The full pattern of findings highlights the need to consider the social adjustment of dyadic partners when examining the psychosocial impact of perceived victimization.
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Consequences of Victimization on Perceived Friend Support during Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2023; 52:519-532. [PMID: 36401707 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01706-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Victimization can harm youth in various ways and negatively affect their friendships with peers. Nevertheless, not all victimized youth are impacted similarly, and the literature is unclear regarding why some victims are more likely than others to experience friendship-based consequences. Using five waves of data on 901 adolescents (6th grade at wave 1; 47% male; 88% White) and a subsample of 492 victimized youth, this study assessed (1) whether victimization leads to decreases in perceived friend support, and (2) the factors that explain which victimized youth are most likely to experience decreases in perceived friend support. Explanatory factors included subsequent victimization, victims' social network status (self-reported number of friends, number of friendship nominations received), and victims' risky behaviors (affiliating with deviant friends, delinquency, aggression, binge drinking). Random effects regressions revealed that, among the full sample, victimization was linked to decreases in friend support. Among victimized youth, subsequent victimization and deviant friends decreased friend support. Having more friends was associated with increased friend support among victims, though this association weakened as the number of friends increased. The results emphasize that victimized youth are a heterogeneous group with varying risks of experiencing friendship-based consequences.
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Malamut ST, Dawes M, Lansu TAM, van den Berg Y, Cillessen AHN. Differences in Aggression and Alcohol Use among Youth with Varying Levels of Victimization and Popularity Status. J Youth Adolesc 2022; 51:1914-1925. [PMID: 35776230 PMCID: PMC9363477 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01649-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Awareness that high-status adolescents can be targets of aggression has grown in recent years. However, questions remain about the associations of the confluence of victimization and popularity with adjustment. The current study fills this gap by examining the joint and unique effects of victimization and popularity on aggression and alcohol use. Participants were 804 Dutch adolescents (50.2% boys, Mage = 13.65) who were followed for one year. High-status victims were more aggressive and drank more alcohol than lower-status victims. High-status victims were also more proactively and indirectly aggressive and self-reported more bullying than high-status non-victims. Thus, the findings demonstrated a conjoined risk of victimization and popularity for some types of aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Malamut
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands. .,INVEST Research Flagship Center/Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Molly Dawes
- College of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Tessa A M Lansu
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Salmivalli C, Laninga‐Wijnen L, Malamut ST, Garandeau CF. Bullying Prevention in Adolescence: Solutions and New Challenges from the Past Decade. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2021; 31:1023-1046. [PMID: 34820956 PMCID: PMC9271952 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Bullying among youth at school continues to be a global challenge. Being exposed to bullying may be especially hurtful in adolescence, a vulnerable period during which both peer group belonging and status become key concerns. In the current review, we first summarize the effectiveness of the solutions that were offered a decade ago in the form of anti-bullying programs. We proceed by highlighting some intriguing challenges concomitant to, or emerging from these solutions, focusing especially on their relevance during adolescence. These challenges are related to (1) the relatively weak, and highly variable effects of anti-bullying programs, (2) the complex associations among bullying, victimization, and social status, (3) the questions raised regarding the beneficial (or possibly iatrogenic) effects of peer defending, and (4) the healthy context paradox, that is, the phenomenon of remaining or emerging victims being worse off in contexts where the average levels of victimization decrease. We end by providing some suggestions for the next decade of research in the area of bullying prevention among adolescents.
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