Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Early Adolescent Male Mice
Published on: January 24, 2025
Peer relational victimization and somatic complaints during adolescence.
Charisse L Nixon1, Christine A Linkie, Priscilla K Coleman
1Department of Psychology, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Erie, Pennsylvania 16563, USA. cln5@psu.edu
Relational victimization uniquely predicts increased somatic symptoms in adolescents. This form of peer victimization is a stronger predictor of physical health symptoms than physical victimization.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Effective prevention and intervention efforts require identifying factors influencing adolescent health outcomes.
- Understanding the link between peer victimization and physical health is crucial for optimizing well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between somatic symptomatology and experiences with relational victimization (RV) in adolescents.
- To determine if relational peer victimization uniquely predicts somatic complaints (SC).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 1,595 students (grades 5-8) from the Midwestern US.
- Self-report questionnaires assessed demographic characteristics, relational victimization (RV), physical victimization (PV), and somatic complaints (SC).
- Statistical analyses controlled for prior physical symptoms, previous and concurrent victimization experiences, sex, and grade level.
Main Results:
- Relational victimization (RV) was a unique predictor of increased somatic symptoms (SC).
- RV was a stronger predictor of somatic symptoms than physical victimization (PV).
- These findings held true even after controlling for various confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent physical health symptoms necessitate a comprehensive approach to assessment and intervention.
- Clinicians should explore potential links between relational victimization and health issues, as RV may be a significant contributing factor.
- Gentle inquiry into RV experiences can uncover crucial information for understanding and addressing adolescent health.
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
11:31Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
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...
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other