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Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Posttraumatic Stress Among Primary School Children
Leib Litman1, Giuseppe Costantino2,3, Richard Waxman2
1Psychology Department, Lander College, Queens, New York, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|August 11, 2015
Summary
Peer victimization, a common childhood stressor, is linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in elementary school children. This study highlights the significant impact of peer victimization on PTSD severity in both boys and girls.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Peer victimization is a prevalent stressor for children.
- Limited research exists on the link between peer victimization and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in primary school settings.
- Peer victimization is often physical and frequent in younger children (ages 7-8).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between peer victimization and PTSD symptom severity in elementary school children.
- To investigate potential gender differences in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 358 elementary school children (ages 6-11) participated.
- The study measured peer victimization experiences and PTSD symptom severity.
- Statistical analyses were used to determine the association between variables.
Main Results:
- Peer victimization significantly predicted PTSD symptom severity in children.
- Peer victimization accounted for 14.1% of PTSD symptom severity in boys and 10.1% in girls.
- Gender differences were observed in the types of peer victimization associated with PTSD symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- Peer victimization is a significant factor contributing to PTSD symptoms in elementary school children.
- Understanding these links is crucial for addressing the mental health needs of children.
- Further research should explore the long-term developmental consequences of peer victimization-linked PTSD.
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