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Cited by 161Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentChild Abuse and Trauma

The impact of peer victimization on later maladjustment: mediating and moderating effects of hostile and self‐blaming attributions

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Perren, Sonja, Ettekal, Idean, Ladd, Gary·2013·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02618.xPMC PMC3527635
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Abstract

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 children’s 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 children’s 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 children’s aggressive and delinquent behavior, whereas self‐blame exacerbates victimization’s effects on internalizing problems.

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  • It is important that self-blame - a hallmark of victim-blaming - be explored further to examine whether similar patterns of increased internalizing and externalizing difficulties observed in traditional bullying are also present in cyberbullying and cyberaggression.

    “Finally, consistent with the study’s broader findings around blame and responsibility, it is important that self-blame – a hallmark of victim-blaming – be explored further to examine whether similar patterns of increased internalizing and externalizing difficulties observed in traditional bullying are also present in cyberbullying and cyberaggression (129).”

    From A thematic analysis of adolescents’ perceptions of cyberbullying and cyberaggression: definitional distinctions and educational gaps (2026) · cites this paper as [129]

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Authors
Perren, S., Ettekal, I., & Ladd, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Zurich (CH)
  • Arizona State University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-10-11
Volume
54
Issue
1
Pages
46-55
ISSN
  • 0021-9630 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-7610
DOI
10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02618.x
PMC
PMC3527635
OpenAlex
W2105306114
Cited by
161
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 5
FWCI
11.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion)
  • Publikationsserver der PHTG (submittedVersion)
  • Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH049223, 1-R01MH-49223, 2-R01MH-49223)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD045906)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
peer victimization, bullying, hostile attribution, externalizing problems, internalizing problems, child maladjustment, aggression, delinquency, mediation, moderation, children
MeSH terms
Adjustment Disorders, Child, Female, Hostility, Humans, Internal-External Control, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Models, Psychological, Peer Group, Self-Assessment, Midwestern United States, Multivariate Analysis, Bullying

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