The relationship between self‐perception of physical attractiveness and sexual bullying in early adolescence

Abstract

The relationship between self-perception of physical attractiveness and four measures of sexual bullying behavior (victimization, perpetration, having friends who sexually bully, and observation of sexual bullying among peers at school) was examined in a sample of 396 middle school age students. Students who perceived themselves to be more physically attractive than their peers reported sexually bullying others more, being sexually bullied by others more, observing more sexual bullying, and having more friends who sexually bully others than did students who perceived themselves as average looking. In addition, males who perceived themselves to be less physically attractive than their peers reported being victimized more and reported observing more sexual bullying in the school environment. These findings highlight the importance of physical attractiveness in the early initiation of sexual harassment. Implications for future research and interventions with early adolescents are discussed.

Is Adolescent Bullying an Evolutionary Adaptation?

“…Given that physically attractive individuals are seen as desirable mates, further evidence that bullying may be a tool used to increase sexual opportunities would come from the data showing that attractive individuals are more likely to be targeted by bullies. In fact, adolescents of both sexes who rated themselves as highly attractive were not only more likely to be victims of sexual bullying, but also to have been perpetrators, observers, or friends with perpetrators [Cunningham et al., ]. Similarly, female adolescents who rated themselves as attractive had higher odds of being victimized relationally through the spreading of rumors or social exclusion [Leenaars et al., ].…”

Early and Middle Adolescents' Reasoning About Moral and Personal Concerns in Opposite‐sex Interactions

“…The incidence of sexual harassment in adolescence confirms that boundaries between asserting one's personal discretion and infringing on others' welfare in opposite‐sex interactions are not always straightforward (Chiodo et al., ; Cunningham et al., ; McMaster et al., ). As expected, adolescents' reasoning was less consistent about the multifaceted than the prototypical conditions.…”

“…Sexual harassment begins in early adolescence and increases with age (McMaster et al., ). Most adolescents have experienced some form of sexual harassment (Chiodo et al., ; Cunningham et al., ).…”

An immediate survival focus : linking substance abuse, fight, flight, and prosocial behavior.

“…In the review evidence was presented that indicated that 61 the vast majority of bullying is intrasexual (i.e., Gallup et at, 2009). Among females, those who are more attractive appear to be victimized more frequently (see also Cunningham et at, 2011). The evolutionary explanation that was introduced followed the logic that females harass or derogate attractive females to compete with them more successfully.…”