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. 2013 Jan;54(1):46-55.
doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02618.x. Epub 2012 Oct 11.

The impact of peer victimization on later maladjustment: mediating and moderating effects of hostile and self-blaming attributions

Sonja Perren  1 , Idean Ettekal, Gary Ladd
Affiliations

The impact of peer victimization on later maladjustment: mediating and moderating effects of hostile and self-blaming attributions

Sonja Perren et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Evidence indicates that being a victim of bullying or peer aggression has negative short- and long-term consequences. In this study, we investigated the mediating and moderating role of two types of attributional mechanisms (hostile and self-blaming attributions) on children's maladjustment (externalizing and internalizing problems).

Methods: In total, 478 children participated in this longitudinal study from grade 5 to grade 7. Children, parents, and teachers repeatedly completed questionnaires. Peer victimization was assessed through peer reports (T1). Attributions were assessed through self-reports using hypothetical scenarios (T2). Parents and teachers reported on children's maladjustment (T1 and T3).

Results: Peer victimization predicted increases in externalizing and internalizing problems. Hostile attributions partially mediated the impact of victimization on increases in externalizing problems. Self-blame was not associated with peer victimization. However, for children with higher levels of self-blaming attributions, peer victimization was linked more strongly with increases in internalizing problems.

Conclusions: Results imply that hostile attributions may operate as a potential mechanism through which negative experiences with peers lead to increases in children's aggressive and delinquent behavior, whereas self-blame exacerbates victimization's effects on internalizing problems.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Unstandardized (standardized) path estimates for structural model with latent interaction effects. Dashed circles represent interaction effects. Standardized estimates are from model when interaction effects were not specified. Gender was included as a covariate in this model, but is not shown in this figure. Dashed lines represent non-significant paths at p < .05. Curved arrows between T2 and T3 measures represent correlated errors. * p ≤ .05. ** p ≤ .01. *** p ≤ .001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interaction effect of victimization x self-blame on increases in internalizing symptoms
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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