NCJ Number
226437
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 77-93
Date Published
February 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study assessed self-reported peer victimization, self-reported depression, social phobia (SP), and other selected variables.
Abstract
Findings reveal that self-reported SP, rather than depression, is associated with peer victimization among adolescents. Self-reported SP comorbid with depression was associated with significantly higher rates of victimization than was self-reported depression without SP in three out of four comparisons among boys victimized both ways, and among covertly victimized girls; this speaks clearly for the prominent role of SP as a correlation to victimization. More robustly, the logistic regression analyses among both boys and girls, and across both types of victimization altogether, dropped associations of self-reported depression non-comorbid with SP to victimization, but maintained those of self-reported SP and self-reported SP comorbid with depression. Symptoms such as prominent social fears and social avoidance, both core symptoms of SP, and lack of social skills may leave young people with SP especially vulnerable to victimization, unable to fight bullies, but further avoiding and withdrawing from contacts. The strong association between self-reported SP and victimization implies that professionals working in schools and youth groups should assess symptoms of social anxiety when encountering bullied adolescents. Also, clinicians working with avoidant young people should routinely ask about experiences of being victimized. Data were collected from 3,156 Finnish students attending ninth grade in 2 Finnish cities (Tampere and Vantaa) who participated in a mental health survey. Tables, figures, and references