Psychosocial mediators and moderators of the effect of peer‐victimization upon depressive symptomatology

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02253.x
• Publication Date: 2010-04-23T15:09:05Z
• Authors: Simon C. Hunter; Kevin Durkin; Derek Heim; Christine Howe; Dermot Bergin
• Keywords: Male; BF Psychology; peer victimization; 150; BF; Peer Group; appraisal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Psychology; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Child; Social Behavior; Crime Victims; Internal-External Control; Social Identification; Depression; social identity; 05 social sciences; Social Perception; depression; Female; discrimination

Background: Intervention strategies and developmental models of stress have been criticized for failing to integrate social psychological variables. This study investigates both self‐referential cognitive mediators (perceived threat and control) and a social psychological moderator (ethnic/religious identity) of the effect of peer‐victimization upon depressive symptomatology.Methods: Self‐report questionnaires were completed by 924 students (46% female), aged 8 to 12 years. Experiences of discriminatory and non‐discriminatory peer‐victimization, threat and control appraisals, depressive symptoms, and strength of main identity were assessed.Results: Perceived threat partially mediated the effect of peer‐victimization (regardless of whether it was discriminatory or not) on depressive symptoms. Perceived control partially mediated the effect of non‐discriminatory peer‐victimization on depressive symptoms. Strength of ethnic/religious identity buffered the effect of peer‐victimization on depressive symptoms. Victimization perceived to be discriminatory in nature was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than non‐discriminatory victimization.Conclusions: Findings support calls for a greater emphasis to be placed on social psychological variables in explaining depressive symptomatology. For clinical, counseling and intervention purposes, it is important to examine whether victims perceive peer‐victimization as discriminatory and whether their own strength of identity affects symptomatology.