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

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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.

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Notes

  1. The internal consistency of the CDI subscales ranged from poor to acceptable: Negative Mood (a = 0.69), Interpersonal Problems (a = 0.50), Ineffectiveness (a = 0.60), Anhedonia (a = 0.71), and Negative Self-Esteem (a = 0.79).

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH097767).

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  1. Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA

    Danielle M. Morabito, Kreshnik Burani & Greg Hajcak

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  1. Danielle M. Morabito
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Morabito, D.M., Burani, K. & Hajcak, G. Depressive Symptoms Prospectively Predict Peer Victimization: A Longitudinal Study Among Adolescent Females. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 53, 39–47 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01100-7

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