Peer victimization during adolescence: concurrent and prospective impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety

Abstract

Background: Peer victimization is ubiquitous across schools and cultures, and has the potential for long-lasting effects on the well-being of victims. To date, research has focused on the consequences of peer victimization during childhood but neglected adolescence. Peer relationships and approval become increasingly important during adolescence; thus, peer victimization at this age may have a damaging psychological impact. Methods: Participants were 5030 adolescents aged 11–16 recruited from secondary schools in the UK. Self-report measures of victimization and symptoms of anxiety and depression were administered on three occasions over a 12-month period. Latent growth models examined concurrent and prospective victimization-related elevations in anxiety and depression symptoms above individual-specific growth trajectories. Results: Peer victimization was associated with a concurrent elevation of 0.64 and 0.56 standard deviations in depression and anxiety scores, respectively. There was an independent delayed effect, with additional elevations in depression and anxiety (0.28 and 0.25 standard deviations) six months later. These concurrent and prospective associations were independent of expected symptom trajectories informed by individual risk factors. Conclusions: Adolescent peer victimization was associated with immediate and delayed elevations in anxiety and depression. Early intervention aimed at identifying and supporting victimized adolescents may prevent the development of these disorders.

Keywords:

• peer victimization
• anxiety
• depression
• adolescence
• bullying
• latent growth model

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the National Institute of Health Research: Health Technology Assessment (06/37/04). The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the HTA program, NIHR, NHS, or the Department of Health.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2014.962023

Notes

1. Measurement invariance can bias group comparisons of parameter estimates; thus, equality constraints for the residual variances of observed variables were retained.