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. 2022 Feb;53(1):39-47.
doi: 10.1007/s10578-020-01100-7. Epub 2021 Jan 2.

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

Danielle M Morabito  1 , Kreshnik Burani  2 , Greg Hajcak  2
Affiliations

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

Danielle M Morabito et al. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Depression; Early adolescence; Peer relations; Victimization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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