NCJ Number
210051
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 557-571
Date Published
October 2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between peer victimization and school adjustment among sixth-grade students.
Abstract
School violence in the United States has become a public concern in recent years. In addition, research has shown peer victimization as a common occurrence in school settings. Utilizing a sample of 1,022 sixth-grade students, this study investigated the relationship between peer victimization and school adjustment. In the study, four questions were addressed: (1) to what extent are the effects of peer victimization mediated by victims’ perception of peer unsupportive behavior; (2) to what extent do the victims’ perception of peer unsupportive behavior impact school attachment; (3) to what extent is the relationship between school attachment and academic achievement mediated by the inattention problems at school; and (4) to what extent are there differences across genders in peer victimization and school adjustment? The results provide support for the relationships in the proposed model showing that the students’ perceived peer non-support mediates the relationship between peer victimization and school attachment. It is apparent that the negative impact of peer victimization is mediated by perception of peer non-support. References