Early Childhood Factors Associated With Peer Victimization Trajectories From 6 to 17 Years of Age

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe (1) the developmental trajectories of peer victimization from 6 to 17 years of age and (2) the early childhood behaviors and family characteristics associated with the trajectories. METHODS:We used data from 1760 children enrolled in the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, a population-based birth cohort. Participants self-reported peer victimization at ages 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, and 17 years. Participants' behavior and family characteristics were measured repeatedly between ages 5 months and 5 years. RESULTS:We identified 4 trajectories of peer victimization from 6 to 17 years of age: low (32.9%), moderate-emerging (29.8%), childhood-limited (26.2%), and high-chronic (11.1%). Compared with children in the low peer victimization trajectory, children in the other 3 trajectories were more likely to exhibit externalizing behaviors in early childhood, and those in the high-chronic and moderate-emerging trajectories were more likely to be male. Paternal history of antisocial behavior was associated with moderate-emerging (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.19) and high-chronic (OR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.25-2.99) relative to low peer victimization. Living in a nonintact family in early childhood was associated with childhood-limited (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.11-1.97) and high-chronic (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.09-2.31) relative to low peer victimization.CONCLUSIONS: Early childhood externalizing behaviors and family vulnerabilities were associated with the development of peer victimization. Some children entered the cascade of persistent peer victimization at the beginning of primary school. Support to these children and their families early in life should be an important component of peer victimization preventive interventions.WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Peer victimization affects children worldwide. Few studies captured its evolution over critical periods in the development of peer relationships. Moreover, little is known about preexisting vulnerabilities that may forecast the emergence of different developmental patterns of peer victimization.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: The development of peer victimization was heterogeneous. For some children, peer victimization lasted throughout their school career; for others, it was limited to the first years of primary school. Early childhood behaviors and family vulnerabilities were associated with these developmental patterns.

Cohort Profile: Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD)

“…Developmental trajectories of internalising problems followed a different temporal trend, with increased levels during early childhood and the beginning of middle childhood [43]. Children following high-chronic trajectories of externalising and internalising behaviours have been shown to be at risk of negative longterm outcomes, including peer victimisation [28,46], suicidal ideation and attempt [47,48], and substance use [30,43,49].…”

“…Several studies have described the developmental trajectories, risk factors, and consequences of peer victimisation across childhood [11,28,31,46,[63][64][65][66][67][68][69]. For instance, it was shown for the first time that a small but significant group of children start experiencing stable peer difficulties as early as age 3 years [67].…”

“…For instance, it was shown for the first time that a small but significant group of children start experiencing stable peer difficulties as early as age 3 years [67]. Furthermore, a recent study distinguished various peer victimisation trajectories from ages 6 to 17 years, including groups of emerging, childhood-limited, and persistent victims [46]. These studies also identified family-level (e.g., insufficient income, harsh parenting) and individual-level (e.g., physical aggression, high body mass index [BMI], internalising behaviours) risk factors of frequent exposure to peer victimisation [31,46,[66][67][68].…”

Unique and Combined Contribution of Peer Victimization and Maltreatment in Childhood to Young Adults’ Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidality: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Strong evidence from previous studies suggest that children experiencing maltreatment are at a higher risk of also being victimized by their peers [13,[15][16][17][18][19], and that experiencing both forms of interpersonal violence is associated with increased risk of mental disorder [20] compared to experiencing either maltreatment or peer victimization. Given the link between maltreatment and peer victimization and their long-term effects on mental health outcomes, it is relevant to investigate if peer victimization is associated with mental health problems independently from maltreatment.…”

“…Maltreatment by peers (i.e. victimization) during childhood is a multifaceted experience de ned as harm caused by peers acting outside of the norms of appropriate conduct [13]. Prevalence estimates of peer victimization vary depending on samples, age cohorts and methodology [14].…”