Peer Victimization, Coping Strategies, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation Among Young Adolescents

Background: Victimization by bullying among adolescents is a widespread phenomenon associated with depression and suicidal ideation. Coping with bullying may include aggressive responding and self-blame. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the role adolescent self-blame and aggression - r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Crisis : the journal of crisis intervention and suicide prevention 2020-05, Vol.41 (3), p.156-162
Main Authors: Cohen, Or Ben Simon, Shahar, Golan, Brunstein Klomek, Anat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adolescent Attitudes
Adolescent Behavior
Aggression
Aggressive Behavior
Bullying
Bullying - psychology
Bullying - statistics & numerical data
Child
Coping Behavior
Crime Victims - psychology
Crime Victims - statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - psychology
Female
Human
Humans
Israel - epidemiology
Linear Models
Logistic Models
Major Depression
Male
Peer Group
Peer Relations
Self Report
Self-Blame
Suicidal Ideation
Victimization
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Summary:Background: Victimization by bullying among adolescents is a widespread phenomenon associated with depression and suicidal ideation. Coping with bullying may include aggressive responding and self-blame. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the role adolescent self-blame and aggression - representing coping with peer bullying - in depression and suicide ideation. Method: We recruited 97 "pure" victims (41 girls; mean age = 12.69, SD = .80) identified from a sample of 505 adolescents (242 girls; mean age = 12.73, SD = .81) from two Israeli high schools. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess victimization, aggressive responses, self-blame, depression, and suicide ideation. Results: Self-blame in the face of peer bullying was uniquely associated with both depression and suicide ideation. The effect was robust even after controlling for level of victimization. No direct effect of aggressive coping or moderating effects of self-blame or aggression on the association between victimization and depression/suicide ideation were found. Limitations: This study used a cross-sectional design and made exclusive use of self-report measures. Conclusion: Adolescents who blame themselves for being bullied might be at a heightened risk for depression and suicidality compared to adolescents who did not use self-blame.
ISSN:0227-5910
2151-2396
DOI:10.1027/0227-5910/a000614