Links between peer victimization, dating violence victimization and depression in adolescence: A genetically-informed study

ABSTRACT

Peer victimization and dating violence victimization frequently co-occur, with 50.4% of adolescents reporting victimization in both social contexts. A possible explanation for the association between these two negative experiences is offered by interpersonal theories of depression. These theories stipulate that depression might not only be caused by relational stressors but may actually also be causing stressful experiences.

Objective

The current study aimed to test if individuals with inherent dispositions to depression-related cognitions and behaviors are more at risk of experiencing relational difficulties, such as peer victimization and dating violence victimization.

Method

This study used a genetically informed design with 806 twins (51.5% girls) to test 1) if at least part of the association between peer victimization in school and dating violence victimization in emerging adulthood can be explained by common underlying heritable factors. Participants provided repeated assessments of their peer victimization in school at ages 13 through 17, their depression symptoms at ages 13 through 19, as well as their victimization in dating relationships at age 19.

Results

A Cholesky decomposition based on structural equation modeling supported the hypotheses. Specifically, the association between peer victimization and dating violence victimization was to a significant extent explained by common underlying genetic vulnerabilities that were associated with depression symptoms. No sex moderation was found.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the importance of addressing early indicators of vulnerability toward depression symptoms to prevent victimization by peers or dating partners.

Acknowledgments

We thank Jocelyn Malo and Marie-Elyse Bertrand for coordinating the data collections, Hélène Paradis for data management and preparation and Alain Girard for statistical support. We also thank the twins and their families for participating in this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental material for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2021.2001746

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided to the first author by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (grant # 435-2014-1536). The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.