The relationship between peer victimization and post‐traumatic stress symptomatology in a rural sample

Abstract

Peer victimization (PV) has been associated with a number of negative psychological sequelae. Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between PV and the symptomatology of posttraumatic stress disorder, and no studies to date have examined this relationship in a rural sample. Adapted versions of the SEQ-SR and the TSCC were used to assess the relationship between PV and post-traumatic stress symptomatology in a sample of 244 rural youths (ages 10-14) in two school districts in a south-central area of the United States. In addition to a positive relationship between PV and post-traumatic stress symptomatology, the results indicated relatively high rates of adult presence and peer bystanding during PV experiences. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed. C 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer victimization (PV) has been a growing concern among youths, professionals, and parents, and there is considerable evidence to suggest that it is a frequent experience for many children and adolescents (e.g., see Bradshaw, Sawyer, & O'Brennan, 2007). Its prevalence is worrisome because negative psychosocial symptomatology is often associated with the experience of PV; in some cases, increased suicidality is associated with PV experiences (e.g., Brunstein-Klomek, Marrocco, Kleinman, Schonfeld, & Gould, 2007). Moreover, the current school-wide anti-bullying interventions commonly implemented in schools seem to often yeild nonsignificant results in reducing selfreported victimization and bullying (Smith, Schneider, Smith, & Ananiadou, 2004). These findings support the need for additional research, both on school-wide interventions and on the impact of PV on both those who engage in bullying as well as those who are targeted.Rural populations have received scant attention in the PV literature. Although the term "rural" is often thought to connote an indication solely of population size, geographic locale (i.e., proximity to an urban center, including four locale categories [city, suburban, town, and rural]) is becoming an increasing factor in determining the "rurality" of a community. In 2006, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revised its definition of rural after working with the United States Census Bureau (NCES, 2006). In this revision, schools are assigned to locale categories (e.g., suburban, rural) based on their actual addresses and their proximity to larger urban areas. In data collected from 2005 , the NCES (2006 indicated that a total of 8,038 school districts (56.74%) were classified as rural under this urban-centric locale classification system.Despite the current reliance on the NCES definition of rural, it is important to note that "rurality" is a term that is composed of a broader cluster of characteristics that influence daily living, behaviors, and attitudes. Beebe-Frankenberger (2008) discusses several important characteristics of rural schools and communities that should be noted. The small-town image that many have of the rural setting is often an asset for community mem...

Impact of the Worst School Experiences in Students: A Retrospective Study on Trauma

“…This result reinforces data from studies that argue that school victims may also develop PTSD symptoms (Crosby et al, 2010;Idsoe et al, 2012;Storch & Esposito, 2003). In the PTSD literature, in general, albeit not specific on school violence, there are prevalence studies that may be useful to compare with the present data.…”

“…Besides the commonly described symptoms, the literature has shown that individuals victimized by peers may also develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms (PTSD) (Albuquerque, Williams, & D'Affonseca, 2013;Crosby, Oehler, & Capaccioli, 2010;Idsoe et al, 2012;Storch & Esposito, 2003). However, there are few studies clarifying how the relationship between these two variables occurs (Idsoe et al, 2012;McKenney, Pepler, Craig, & Connoly, 2005;Mynard, Joseph, & Alexander, 2000).…”

“…Crosby et al (2010) conducted a study with 244 10 to 14 year-old students in the United States. The results showed that physical, verbal and relational victimization were positively correlated to post-traumatic stress symptoms.…”

Efeitos tardios do bullying e transtorno de estresse pós-traumático: uma revisão crítica

“…Dos participantes que sofreram um evento traumático, 25% relataram ter sofrido humilhação ou bullying durante a infância. Crosby et al (2010) realizaram uma pesquisa com 244 estudantes, com idades entre 10 a 14 anos, de três escolas rurais dos Estados Unidos. Os autores buscaram dar suporte à hipótese de que a vitimização por pares/bullying pode estar associada a sintomas de TEPT.…”

“…Além disso, as pesquisas que relacionam bullying a sintomas de TEPT (Crosby et al, 2010;Mynard et al 2000;Storch & Esposito, 2003) indicaram correlações positivas e significativas entre os dois fenômenos, demonstrando que, a curto prazo, ser vítima de bullying pode levar ao aparecimento de sintomas de TEPT. Cabe destacar que, tanto Storch e Esposito (2003), quanto Mynard et al (2000), afirmam que, apesar do aumento do número de pesquisas que investiguem as interações negativas entre pares, poucos estudos examinam a relação entre as consequências psicológicas dessas interações.…”