Associations Between Victimization and Adolescents' Self‐Reported Responses to Peer Provocation Are Moderated by Peer‐Reported Aggressiveness

Abstract

Many early adolescents experience peer victimization, but little research has examined how they respond to aggression by peers. Thus, in a large sample of early adolescents (N = 648; M age = 12.96; SD = 0.30; 52.0% female), we examined (1) the associations between peer-reported victimization and self-reported responses to peer provocation, and (2) whether these associations were moderated by peer-reported aggression. In particular, we predicted that the reported use of assertion, a strategy generally viewed as socially skillful, would be associated with less victimization, but only for youth low on peer-reported aggression. Results were consistent with this hypothesis. Moreover, seeking adult intervention was associated with greater victimization for youth high on peer-reported aggression. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Past-year relational victimization is associated with a blunted neural response to rewards in emerging adults

“…Evidence suggests that those who experience greater physical aggression also tend to respond aggressively toward others (e.g. Dirks et al , 2017 ) and that the exhibition of physical aggression is positively correlated with measures of appetitive motivation and reward sensitivity (Harmon-Jones, 2003 ; Carlson et al , 2013 ). Taken together, this may explain the trend toward a positive association between physical victimization and neural response to rewards.…”

Relationship dissolution in the friendships of emerging adults: How, when, and why?

“…Retrospective studies studying real-life dissolution (e.g., J. C. Bowker, 2011) suggest that friendship dissolution may not occur that frequently. Critically, even though responses to hypothetical vignettes do not constitute actual behaviors enacted in the face of actual situations, they have been shown to correlate with participants' real-life behavior and the quality of their relationships (e.g., Dirks et al, 2017;A. J.…”

Attentional Biases to Bullies and Bystanders and Youth’s Coping With Peer Victimization

“…Another limitation was the treatment of coping responses as mutually exclusive. Coping with victimization likely involves a combination of responses that unfold over time and, in some cases, occur simultaneously (see Dirks et al, 2016; Waasdorp & Bradshaw, 2011). Such combinations may change the nature and likely purpose of a coping strategy.…”

“…Support-seeking is often viewed as a problem-focused, approach-oriented, and engaged response (Compas et al, 2001), although whether it prevents peer victimization is unclear (Rigby & Barnes, 2002; Visconti & Troop-Gordon, 2010). Retaliation, despite being an approach-oriented and engaged response, is often emotion-focused (Visconti & Troop-Gordon, 2010) and exacerbates risk for further peer victimization and aggression (Dirks et al, 2016). Behavioral avoidance disengages the adolescent from the stressor, but can be problem-focused or emotion-focused in its use.…”

“…However, the nature and extent of these developmental consequences depend, in part, on how the individual copes with the victimization. Accordingly, researchers have examined youth’s responses to peer victimization and the psychosocial correlates of those responses (e.g., Dirks, Cuttini, Mott, & Henry, 2016; Erath, Kaeppler, & Tu, 2019). These studies confirm that youth enact a range of coping strategies, each of which may serve to buffer or exacerbate the link between victimization and well-being (e.g., Kochenderfer-Ladd & Skinner, 2002; Visconti & Troop-Gordon, 2010).…”