Journal
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
Volume 54, Issue 1, Pages 46-55Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02618.x
Keywords
Peer victimization; hostile attributions; self-blame; internalizing problems; externalizing problems
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health [1-RO1MH-49223, 2-RO1MH-49223]
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Background: Evidence indicates that being a victim of bullying or peer aggression has negative short- and long-term consequences. In this study, we investigated the mediating and moderating role of two types of attributional mechanisms (hostile and self-blaming attributions) on childrens maladjustment (externalizing and internalizing problems). Methods: In total, 478 children participated in this longitudinal study from grade 5 to grade 7. Children, parents, and teachers repeatedly completed questionnaires. Peer victimization was assessed through peer reports (T1). Attributions were assessed through self-reports using hypothetical scenarios (T2). Parents and teachers reported on childrens maladjustment (T1 and T3). Results: Peer victimization predicted increases in externalizing and internalizing problems. Hostile attributions partially mediated the impact of victimization on increases in externalizing problems. Self-blame was not associated with peer victimization. However, for children with higher levels of self-blaming attributions, peer victimization was linked more strongly with increases in internalizing problems. Conclusions: Results imply that hostile attributions may operate as a potential mechanism through which negative experiences with peers lead to increases in childrens aggressive and delinquent behavior, whereas self-blame exacerbates victimizations effects on internalizing problems.
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