Examining the pathways between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking in adolescence.

Abstract

In this article, we expand and test several theoretical models addressing the longitudinal relationships between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking from 3 approaches: Interpersonal risk model, symptom driven model, and a transactional model. Unfortunately, prior research has failed to consider these associations at the within-person level, which is arguably a more relevant level of analysis. Participants were 1,875 students sampled from four Midwestern middle schools and followed for 2 years. Baseline age ranged from 11-13 years with a racially diverse sample (44.3% African American, 29.2% White, 7% Hispanic, 3% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 16.5% Multi-Racial). The current study used an auto-regressive latent trajectory with structured residuals (ALT-SR) model to examine the within-person cross-lagged associations between bully victimization, depression, academic achievement, and problematic drinking. Results indicated support for an interpersonal risk model, where experiences of early bullying victimization resulted in a cascade of problems throughout middle school. Within this interpersonal risk model we also established that academic achievement was a key mechanism linking bully victimization to problematic drinking during adolescence We did not find evidence for a traditional symptom driven model (e.g., stemming from depression); however, we did find long-term problems stemming from early problematic drinking. Results are discussed in relation to prevention interventions for problematic drinking as well as screenings for early adolescent depression, bully victimization, and academic problems. (PsycINFO Database Record

Perceived Family and Friend Support Moderate Pathways From Peer Victimization to Substance Use in Early-Adolescent Girls and Boys: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis

“…Findings from the current study also support the academic achievement risk pathway proposed by the socio-ecological framework (Hong et al, 2014), such that declines in grades accounted for how peer victimization conferred risk for substance use. The academic achievement difficulty pathway was relevant for both girls and boys, but may be gender-specific with regard to the form of peer victimization and type of substance, which extends the only prior examination of this pathway that focused on binge drinking (Davis et al, 2018). Among girls, more frequent social media victimization predicted greater decreases in grades, which in turn increased risk for vaping.…”

“…These hypotheses are consistent with affect-regulation and self-medication models of substance use, which posit that individuals engage in substance use to alleviate emotional distress (Sher & Slutske, 2003; Tomlinson & Brown, 2012). Longitudinal studies consistently support this meditational pathway in adolescents (Davis et al, 2018; Earnshaw et al, 2017; Zapolski et al, 2018). Yet, the relevance of the depressive symptoms risk pathway for different forms of peer victimization and specific substances remains unclear, as no known studies have differentiated between overt, relational, and social media victimization.…”

<p>Examining the Link Between Academic Achievement and Adolescent Bullying: A Moderated Moderating Model</p>

“…20 Previous studies have shown that students with lower levels of academic competence are more likely to display conduct problems such as aggression, bullying, and substance abuse. [29][30][31][32] Therefore, individuals with poor academic achievement may use bullying to gain self-worth.…”

Repercusiones cognitivas del consumo de alcohol en universitarios: un estudio preliminar

“…2019 El consumo de alcohol tiene una importante repercusión a nivel de salud general, ya que se asocia a problemas psiquiátricos y médicos (Molina y Nelson, 2018). Los malos resultados académicos entre universitarios se han relacionado con la ingesta excesiva de alcohol (Davis et al, 2018), y, más concretamente algunos autores apuntan al consumo de tipo atracón o BD (Patte, Quian y Leatherdale, 2017). Además, el uso continuado del consumo de alcohol entre los jóvenes universitarios se relaciona directamente con absentismo escolar y conductas delictivas (Flaherty, Sutphen y Ely, 2012).…”