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How do victims of bullying develop depression? Testing interpersonal style to explain the victimization-depression
Minita Franzen1,2, Marijtje A J van Duijn3, Peter J de Jong2
1Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Bullying victimization increases depression risk in adolescents. High hostility, not low assertiveness, partly explains this link, suggesting interventions should target hostility to prevent future mental health issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Bullying victimization is a significant risk factor for adolescent depression.
- Interpersonal styles, such as hostility and assertiveness, may mediate this relationship.
- Understanding these mediating factors is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent to which hostility and assertiveness mediate the association between bullying victimization and future depression symptoms in adolescents.
- To examine the role of interpersonal styles in the long-term mental health outcomes of bullying victims.
- To inform targeted interventions for adolescents experiencing bullying.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study using data from the Dutch TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) waves 2-4.
- Assessment of bullying experiences at age 13, interpersonal style at age 16, and depression symptoms at age 19.
- Mediation analyses conducted on self-reported data from victims and non-involved peers.
Main Results:
- Self-reported victims of bullying showed an increased risk for depression symptoms.
- Approximately one-third of this increased risk was explained by higher levels of hostility in victims compared to non-involved peers.
- Lower assertiveness in victims did not significantly mediate the relationship between bullying victimization and depression.
Conclusions:
- High hostility, rather than low assertiveness, partially explains the elevated risk of depression among adolescents who have experienced bullying.
- Interventions aimed at reducing hostility in bullying victims may help mitigate future interpersonal conflicts and mental health problems.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing specific interpersonal factors in the aftermath of bullying victimization.
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