Victimized children's responses to peers' aggression: behaviors associated with reduced versus continued victimization

Abstract

The aim of the current investigation was to identify victimized children's responses to peers' aggression that may be associated with reduced versus persistent victimization. To address this aim, 199 5-6-year-old children (96 boys, 103 girls) were interviewed twice during kindergarten (fall and spring) about their own victimization experiences and peers' responses to aggression. Observational rating of children's victimization experiences were used to examine the validity of the self-reported victimization scores. Relations between response strategies and subsequent victimization status were significant only for boys: "having a friend help" was associated with reduced victimization, whereas "fighting back" was related to stable victimization. Implications for future research on peer victimization and intervention with young victimized children are discussed.