Targeted peer victimization and the construction of positive and negative self-cognitions: connections to depressive symptoms in children.
The goal was to examine the relation of covert/relational and overt/physical targeted peer victimization (TPV) to each other, to positive and negative self-cognitions, and to symptoms of depression. In a sample of elementary and middle school children, TPV was assessed by self-report, peer-nomination, and parent report in a multitrait-multimethod study. Positive and negative self-cognitions and depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report. Confirmatory factor analytic results support the convergent and discriminant validity of these two types of TPV. Both kinds of TPV were significantly related to positive and negative self-cognitions as well as self-reported depressive symptoms; however, structural equation modeling revealed that the effects of covert/relational TPV accounted for the effects of overt/physical TPV. In exploratory analyses, positive and negative self-cognitions explained the relation between TPV and depressive symptoms.
Cole
David A
DA
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203-5721, USA. david.cole@vanderbilt.edu
Maxwell
Melissa A
MA
Dukewich
Tammy L
TL
Yosick
Rachel
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D013694:Temperament