Overt and Relational Victimization: A Meta‐Analytic Review of Their Overlap and Associations With Social–Psychological Adjustment

Abstract

This meta-analytic review includes 135 studies, representing 17 countries, of child and adolescent (ages 4-17) samples of overt and relational peer victimization and examines the magnitude of overlap between forms of victimization and associations with five social-psychological adjustment indices. Results indicate a strong intercorrelation between forms of victimization (r¯ = .72). No gender difference with regard to relational victimization was found, but boys were slightly higher in overt victimization. Overt victimization is more strongly associated with overt aggression; relational victimization is more strongly related to internalizing problems, lower levels of received prosocial behavior from peers, and relational aggression. Both forms are related to externalizing problems. Age and method of assessment were explored as potential sources of variability in effect sizes.

Combining whole‐school and targeted programs for the reduction of bullying victimization: A randomized, effectiveness trial

“…Among these risks, emotional distress has received the most empirical support. Victimization is significantly correlated with anxiety and depression, as well as with related constructs such as emotional sensitivity, low self‐esteem, neuroticism, and poor social skills (Casper & Card, 2017; Tsaousis, 2016; Zimmer‐Gembeck & Duffy, 2014). Although the majority of research has been cross‐sectional, sufficient longitudinal evidence has demonstrated bidirectional relationships between emotional distress and victimization across time (Karlsson, Stickley, Lindblad, Schwab‐Stone, & Ruchkin, 2014; Reijntjes, Kamphuis, Prinzie, & Telch, 2010).…”

Victimization and Somatic Problems: The Role of Class Victimization Levels

“…Large‐scale, cross‐national studies have estimated that about one‐third of adolescents are involved in some forms of victimization by peers . Research has also widely confirmed that peer victimization in school is associated with a variety of psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self‐esteem, and suicidal ideation . To date, 3 meta‐analyses have also shown that being victimized is significantly associated with more frequent somatic symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, muscle pains, poor appetite, vomiting, and many others .…”

Adolescent patterns of peer victimization: Concurrent and longitudinal health correlates

“…Both types of victimization also predicted increases in internalizing problems over time. Past research also shows experiences of peer victimization in adolescence are associated with poorer mental health (e.g., internalizing and externalizing symptoms; Casper & Card, ; Reijntjes et al., ; Reijntjes, Kamphuis, Prinzie, & Telch, ; Ttofi, Farrington, Losel, & Loeber, ).…”

“…Considerable research demonstrates associations between physical and relational peer victimization and aspects of both mental and physical health in adolescence (see Arseneault, Bowes, & Shakoor, ; Card & Hodges, ; Casper & Card, ; McDougall & Vaillancourt, for reviews). Peer victimization has been conceptualized as a chronic stressor (McDougall & Vaillancourt, ; Vaillancourt, Hymel, & McDougall, ) that can negatively impact health outcomes over time (Takizawa, Maughan, & Arseneault, ; Wolke, Copeland, Angold, & Costello, ).…”