Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
14.0K
Victimization stability, emotion dysregulation and suicidal ideation in adolescents
Valentina Levantini1, Lisa De Luca1, Ersilia Menesini1
1Department of Education, Languages, Interculture, Literature, and Psychology, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12 - Pad. 26, 50135, Florence, Italy.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|March 25, 2026
Summary
Bullying victimization and affective instability increase adolescent suicidal ideation. Intermittent bullying combined with high interpersonal sensitivity poses a significant risk for suicidal thoughts in middle schoolers.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Mental Health Research
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Bullying victimization and emotion regulation difficulties are linked to increased adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts.
- Emotion dysregulation may exacerbate suicide risk, particularly when bullying victimization is present.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal influence of bullying victimization frequency, emotion dysregulation (affective instability, emotional reactivity, interpersonal sensitivity), and their interaction on suicidal ideation in Italian middle school students.
- To identify specific patterns of bullying and emotion dysregulation that predict suicidal ideation over four months.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 321 Italian middle school students (aged 12-14).
- Assessment of bullying victimization frequency, emotion dysregulation facets (Emotional Reactivity, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Affective Instability), and suicidal ideation.
- Statistical analysis to determine the predictive influence of these variables and their interactions on suicidal ideation.
Main Results:
- Both stable and intermittent bullying victimization were associated with suicidal ideation; stable victimization showed the highest risk.
- Affective instability was significantly linked to suicidal ideation, while emotional reactivity and interpersonal sensitivity were not directly associated.
- A trend-level interaction between intermittent victimization and interpersonal sensitivity emerged, with higher interpersonal sensitivity predicting greater suicidal ideation specifically among intermittent victims.
Conclusions:
- Stable bullying victimization and affective instability are significant risk factors for adolescent suicidal ideation.
- The combination of intermittent bullying victimization and heightened interpersonal sensitivity represents a critical risk profile for suicidal ideation in adolescents.
- Targeted interventions addressing both bullying exposure and interpersonal sensitivity may be crucial for preventing suicidal ideation in vulnerable youth.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
9.0K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
9.0K
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
377
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
377
01:24Attachment Styles
694
Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
694
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.9K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.9K
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
1.8K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
1.8K
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
844
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
844