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Peer Victimization, Mood Symptoms, and Alcohol Use: Examining Effects among Diverse High School Youth

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Abstract

Peer victimization is associated with alcohol use among adolescents. However, few studies have examined the mediating role of depression and anxiety, or differences by race. The current study examined the prospective relationship of peer victimization, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and alcohol use across two timeframes: 9th to 11th grade and 10th to 12th grade among African American and White youth. Two thousand two hundred and two high school youth (57.6% female) who identified as either African American (n = 342, 15.2%) or White (n = 1860, 82.6%) provided data on study variables. Path analysis among the overall sample indicated that anxiety symptoms was a significant mediator for both timeframes, with depressive symptoms mediating the pathway during the 10th to 12th grade timeframe. The findings were most consistent among White youth, with no significant indirect effects observed for African American youth. Thus, addressing depressive and anxiety symptoms may be effective targets to decrease alcohol use risk as a result of peer victimization among White youth. However, further research is needed to better understand risk models for peer victimization exposure on substance use outcomes among racial/ethnic minority youth.

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Authors’ contributions

The contribution of each author is as follows: AR and TZ conceived of the study, participated in its design, interpretation of data, and drafting of the manuscript. TZ also collaborated on the statistical analytic plan and coordinated writing components for co-authors; SF participated in the data collection and contributed to drafting of the manuscript and editing; DH participated in the study design, conducted primary statistical analyses, drafting of the manuscript, and editing; JB participated in the design and coordination of the parent study, worked with community partners to develop the measurement plan, conducted data collection and processing, and contributed to editing of the manuscript. All authors have given final approval of the version to be published.

Funding

This research was supported by NIH award K01DA043654 to Tamika Zapolski and by NIH award DA05312 to Sycarah Fisher. Writing of the manuscript was supported by NIH/NIDA award P30DA027827 to Tamika Zapolski and R25DA035163 to Tamika Zapolski and Sycarah Fisher.

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The dataset analyzed during the current study is not publicly available but is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA

    Alia T. Rowe & Tamika C. B. Zapolski

  2. Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, USA

    Devon J. Hensel

  3. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Sycarah Fisher

  4. Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Jessica Barnes-Najor

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Correspondence to Tamika C. B. Zapolski.

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Rowe, A.T., Zapolski, T.C.B., Hensel, D.J. et al. Peer Victimization, Mood Symptoms, and Alcohol Use: Examining Effects among Diverse High School Youth. J Youth Adolescence 48, 924–934 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0979-2

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