Purpose
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a resilience-building program in reducing social anxiety among victimized adolescents and examining the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between peer victimization and social anxiety.
Design/methodology/approach
A nonequivalent control group pre-post quasi-experimental design was used, with participants divided into an intervention group receiving resilience training and a wait-list control group. This study involved Jordanian adolescents who had experienced peer victimization and reported elevated social anxiety symptoms. The intervention utilized the Youth Resilience Program, a nonclinical psychosocial method.
Findings
A total of 137 participants completed the study, with no significant baseline differences between the intervention and control groups in resilience, social anxiety or peer victimization scores. The intervention group showed significant improvements in resilience and reductions in social anxiety and peer victimization compared to the control group. Resilience partially mediated the relationship between peer victimization and social anxiety, indicating that higher resilience reduced the impact of victimization on social anxiety, although victimization still had a direct effect on social anxiety.
Research limitations/implications
The resilience-building program was effective in enhancing resilience and reducing social anxiety among victimized adolescents. However, while resilience reduced the impact of victimization, it did not entirely eliminate the anxiety associated with victimization, indicating the need for comprehensive interventions that address both resilience and other factors contributing to social anxiety. This study contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between peer victimization, social anxiety and resilience in Arab adolescents and underscores the importance of culturally sensitive interventions in promoting adolescent mental health.
Originality/value
Within the Arab Jordanian context, the intricate relationship between social anxiety and peer victimization is profoundly influenced by the unique sociocultural factors and family dynamics of the Arab societies, which often place a strong emphasis on collectivism and conformity (Obeidat et al., 2012). Arab families often expect their children to adhere to societal norms and maintain harmonious relationships within the family and community. This emphasis on conformity can intensify social anxiety among adolescents, as the fear of deviating from the expected norms and bringing shame to the family can be overwhelming. However, the scenarios are grounded in hypotheses derived from prior Arab research examining various related variables. It is important to note that existing evidence regarding the role of adolescent resilience in shaping the relationship between peer victimization and social anxiety primarily stems from Western literature, using Western samples. No studies have yet investigated how these factors interact and influence one another among Arab adolescents.
