Peer Victimization in Rural Youth and Why it Matters

Peer victimization is a major public health concern due to its psychological, emotional, and physical short and potentially long-term effects on children. Research conducted with rural youth have shown heightened peer victimization rates compared to urban and suburban locales. Protective factors, such as social support, are underresearched and less emphasized compared to risk factors, particularly in the context of rural youth. This article will review the literature surrounding the constructs of peer victimization in relation to risk and resiliency factors, with a specific focus on rural children.