Do adolescence peer victimization experiences hamper healthy relationships in young adulthood?

The current study examines whether peer victimization experienced in early adolescence is associated with compromised social functioning 14 years later in young adulthood. The sample involved 1533 young adults (65.1% female, M-age = 27.06) who had participated in a large research project as middle school students (7(th) and 8(th) graders, with 13-14 years of age at wave 1) in Finland. Self-reported victimization during 1 year in middle school across three time points (waves 1-3) was first used to predict young adults' romantic relationship satisfaction and victimization at workplace (wave 4), while controlling for gender and initial grade level. The model suggested that peer victimization was associated with lower level of romantic relationship satisfaction and an increased risk for workplace victimization. When middle school depression, social anxiety, and bullying perpetration were added as covariates, peer victimization in middle school was no longer directly related to romantic relationship satisfaction. Peer victimization and bullying perpetration were each predictive of workplace victimization in this model. Adolescence bullying perpetration did not moderate the impact of victimization on adult outcomes. The findings suggest that the prevention of bullying and peer victimization as well as depression in adolescence is important to lower the long-term risks for social adjustment.

Automated summary

This study examines the long-term effects of peer victimization in early adolescence on social functioning in young adulthood. A sample of 1533 young adults in Finland who had reported victimization in middle school were followed up after 14 years. The findings suggest that peer victimization in middle school is associated with lower levels of romantic relationship satisfaction and an increased risk for workplace victimization in young adulthood.