Peer victimization and related mental health problems among early adolescents

• Main Author: Rasalingam, Anurajee
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: bullying; early adolescence; mobbing; Peer victimization; social support

Background: Peer victimization is a widespread phenomenon and a serious problem in schools. It has been documented that peer victimization is associated with various kinds of adjustment problems; influencing mental health, school performance and social life. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of peer victimization based on self- reports. Further examine the association between peer victimization and mental health problems. Parental support and peer support are assumed as protective factors against the difficulties caused by peer victimization. Methods: This study is based on data from a cross-sectional health survey among children and adolescents undertaken in Akershus County in 2002. The present study includes adolescents 9707 (87.2%) in 5-7th grade and their parents 8603 (78%). Information on peer victimization, peer relations, family relations and mental health were obtained from the adolescents. The parents provided with information on demographic information. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to measure mental health problems. Results: Totally 18.4% of the boys and 15.8% of the girls reported that they were peer victimized. Compared to adolescents not being peer victimized, peer victims had higher symptoms of emotional problems, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/inattention problems. The association between peer victimization and the total symptoms scale of problems were nearly four times higher for peer victimized adolescents, compared to pupils their own age who were not peer victimized. Adolescents who reported being peer victimized had more than four times higher risk of developing social impairment, compared to adolescents who reported not being peer victimized. Our results showed that these problems had an impact in the peer victimized adolescents everyday life; interfering with their home life, friendships, classroom learning and leisure activities. Peer support moderated the relationship between peer victimization and mental health problems. In addition parental support did not have the same effect. Conclusions: Adolescents who are peer victimized are in risk of developing adjustment difficulties that affect their development negatively. The results of this study highlight the public health relevance and the importance of establishing preventive interventions to mitigate peer victimization in schools. Sammendrag Bakgrunn: Mobbing blant jevnaldrende er et utbredt fenomen og et alvorlig problem i skol