Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Peer victimization and internalizing problems in children: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies
Albert Reijntjes1, Jan H Kamphuis, Peter Prinzie
1Utrecht University, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|March 23, 2010
Summary
Peer victimization and internalizing problems create a vicious cycle, with each exacerbating the other. This bidirectional relationship highlights the need for interventions to break the cycle of bullying.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Child Development
- Mental Health
Background:
- Cross-sectional studies show a correlation between peer victimization and internalizing problems.
- However, these studies cannot establish the direction of the relationship.
- This study addresses the need for longitudinal research to understand the causal links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether internalizing problems precede or follow peer victimization.
- To examine the bidirectional relationship between peer victimization and internalizing problems.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 18 longitudinal studies.
- Involved 13,978 participants.
- Examined peer victimization predicting internalizing problems and vice versa.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found in both directions: peer victimization predicted internalizing problems, and internalizing problems predicted peer victimization.
- Moderator effects were observed, indicating nuances in these relationships.
Conclusions:
- Internalizing problems and peer victimization have a reciprocal, cyclical relationship.
- This vicious cycle contributes to the persistence of bullying.
- Findings support the development of school-based interventions to reduce bullying.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...