Longitudinal study of peer bullying victimization and its psychological effects on adolescents

Peer bullying victimization (PBV) is a significant public health issue that adolescents often face, with approximately one-third having experienced PBV. Understanding its interrelationships with mental health problems is crucial for effective intervention. This study aims to examine the longitudinal relationships between internalizing problems (depression and anxiety), externalizing problems (aggression), and PBV among middle school students using cross-lagged panel network analysis.

To examine the longitudinal relationships between internalizing problems (depression and anxiety), externalizing problems (aggression), and PBV among middle school students using cross-lagged panel network analysis.

A total of 1260 middle school students (54.6% male) participated in this study. Data were collected at two time points (time 1 and time 2) using self-report questionnaires to assess PBV, depression, anxiety, and aggression. Cross-lagged panel network analysis was applied to examine the bi-directional relationships between these variables over time.

Depression, particularly a "sad mood," was the most significant predictor of both PBV and aggression. Cyberbullying victimization also emerged as a key factor influencing depression and anxiety. While anxiety had weaker and less consistent effects on PBV, aggression was predominantly influenced by depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances. The analysis also identified key symptoms, such as a "sad mood" and sleep disturbances, as crucial targets for intervention to mitigate the cycle of PBV, depression, anxiety, and aggression.

This study provides important insights for bullying victimization prevention and intervention strategies: (1) Early identification and intervention targeting depression, particularly a "sad mood," and sleep disturbances; (2) The importance of addressing cyberbullying as a distinct factor influencing mental health; and (3) The need for comprehensive, longitudinal approaches to understanding and intervening in the interconnected mental health issues among adolescents.