Peer victimization among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal validation study.

Abstract

Peer victimization is a social problem for children and adolescents worldwide. This study examined the factor structure of peer victimization in relation to school life among Chinese adolescent students. The Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (MPVS) was used to measure this phenomenon. We examined psychometric properties such as factor structure, factorial invariance across genders, area types (urban vs. rural), and time (Time 1 vs. Time 2), nomological network validity in relation to the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and internal consistency reliability of the MPVS in Chinese culture. We analyzed the results of a survey of 2,764 adolescents from six public secondary schools in Fujian Province, China; 50.8% of these participants were female, and their mean age was 13.967 years (SD = .843). Of these participants, 2,217 (51.2% female), with a mean age of 13.839 years (SD = .802), also completed the survey at Time 2. Fourfactor models were tested: a null model, a one-factor model, the hypothesized four-factor model, and a hierarchical model. The results revealed that the four-factor model exhibited the best fit and demonstrated factorial invariance across genders, area types, and time points. Future directions for research among Chinese adolescents were also discussed. Public Significance StatementThis study contributes to the literature concerning the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (MPVS) by validating its applicability in a Chinese context. Our findings indicate that researchers and professionals can use this scale to determine the prevalence of peer victimization and examine differences across genders, urban and rural areas, and time. This is the first study to test the area and time invariance of the MPVS by using a large-scale sample.