Understanding the Effects of Physical and Relational Victimization: The Utility of Multiple Perspectives in Predicting Social-Emotional Adjustment

Abstract

Current tools for assessing children's social behavior in school psychology research and practice typically do not adequately measure issues most salient for young girls (e.g., experiences of relational victimization). The relation among teacher, peer, and self-reports of relational and physical peer victimization was examined for 119 fourth grade boys (n = 58) and girls (n = 61) as part of a larger, longitudinal study. Girls were more likely to be victims of relationally aggressive acts, whereas boys were more often targets of physical victimization. Teacher reports added unique information in the prediction of social-emotional adjustment (acceptance, rejection, internalizing, and externalizing) beyond that accounted for by peer and self-reports. Teacher reports of relational victimization differentially contributed to the prediction of adjustment beyond that accounted for by physical victimization for boys and girls. The need for further research and implications of these findings is discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Crystal Cullerton-Sen

Crystal Cullerton-Sen is a school psychology doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, working with the Newton Public School District and the Child Witness to Violence Program, Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts. She is interested in the impact of violence on children's psychosocial and educational adjustment, and multisystemic interventions for victimized children and their families.

Nicki R. Crick

Nicki Crick is a Professor at the Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, and currently serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Development and Psychopathology, and Social Development. She received her PhD in 1992 in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on the antecedents, correlates, and consequences of relational and physical aggression and victimization across the life-span.