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. 2011;40(1):111-22.
doi: 10.1080/15374416.2011.533413.

A latent growth curve analysis of early and increasing peer victimization as predictors of mental health across elementary school

Karen D Rudolph  1 , Wendy Troop-Gordon, Elenda T Hessel, Jennifer D Schmidt
Affiliations

A latent growth curve analysis of early and increasing peer victimization as predictors of mental health across elementary school

Karen D Rudolph et al. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2011.

Abstract

Peer victimization has been implicated as a traumatic stressor that compromises children's long-term mental health, yet a dearth of prospective research documents lasting effects of early victimization. This study examined whether early (2nd grade) and increasing (2nd-5th grade) victimization predicted 5th grade depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior. Children (238 girls, 195 boys) reported on victimization and depressive symptoms; teachers reported on victimization and aggressive behavior. Latent growth curve analysis revealed that early and increasing victimization made unique contributions to depressive symptoms and aggressive behavior. Relational aggression was particularly likely to follow victimization in girls. This study reveals that victimization contributes to mental health over an extended period and elucidates the role of early versus increasing victimization, supporting the need for programs to prevent the pernicious mental health consequences of victimization.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Latent growth curve analysis of the contribution of initial victimization (2nd grade) and trajectories of victimization (2nd – 5th grade) to 5th grade depressive symptoms, overt aggression, and relational aggression, adjusting for 2nd grade adjustment. Coefficients for boys are on the left of the slash and coefficients for girls are on the right of the slash. Not shown are covariances between 2nd grade adjustment (i.e., depressive symptoms, overt aggression, and relational aggression) and the intercept and slope of the victimization trajectories (see text). Also not shown is a significant covariance between 3rd and 4th grade victimization. aSex difference at p < .05. bSex difference at p < .10.
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