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Associations between peer victimization and depression and anxiety disorders during adolescence: A
Nicole S J Dryburgh1, Melanie A Dirks2, Soyeon Kim3
1Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University; Department of Psychology, Harvard University.
Psychiatry Research
|September 20, 2025
Summary
Peer victimization is linked to major depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Relational and verbal victimization specifically predict anxiety disorders, while all types associate with depression.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health
- Developmental psychology
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Peer victimization is linked to increased anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Limited understanding exists regarding its association with clinically significant disorders and specific victimization types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between peer victimization and major depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents.
- To determine if specific forms of victimization uniquely predict certain internalizing disorders.
Main Methods:
- Diagnostic interviews assessed major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia (SoP), specific phobia, and separation anxiety disorder in 2278 adolescents.
- Adolescents reported on physical, verbal, relational, and cyber-victimization.
- Logistic regression models analyzed associations between victimization types and disorders.
Main Results:
- Relational victimization independently predicted GAD, SoP, and any anxiety disorder.
- Verbal victimization independently predicted GAD and any anxiety disorder.
- All victimization types, including cyber-victimization, were associated with MDD, but not independently predictive after controlling for others.
Conclusions:
- Peer victimization is associated with major depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents.
- Relational victimization is a significant predictor for anxiety disorders, highlighting it as a key challenge.
- No single victimization type uniquely predicted MDD.
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