Self-perception but not peer reputation of bullying victimization is associated with non-clinical psychotic experiences in adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Bullying victimization may be linked to psychosis but only self-report measures of victimization have been used so far. This study aimed (a) to investigate the differential associations of peer-nominated versus self-reported victim status with non-clinical psychotic experiences in a sample of young adolescents, and (b) to examine whether different types of self-reported victimization predict non-clinical psychotic experiences in these adolescents. Method A combination of standard self-report and peer nomination procedures was used to assess victimization. The sample (n = 724) was divided into four groups (exclusively self-reported victims, self- and peer-reported victims, exclusively peer-reported victims, and non-victims) to test for a group effect on non-clinical psychotic experiences. The relationship between types of victimization and non-clinical psychotic experiences was examined by a regression analysis.


RESULTS
Self-reported victims, along with self- and peer-reported victims, scored higher than peer-reported victims and non-victims on non-clinical psychotic experiences. Self-reports of direct relational, indirect relational and physical victimization significantly improved the prediction of non-clinical psychotic experiences whereas verbal and possession-directed victimization had no significant predictive value.


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between victimization and non-clinical psychotic experiences is only present for self-reported victimization, possibly indicative of an interpretation bias. The observed discrepancy between self-report and peer-report highlights the importance of implementing a combination of both measures for future research.
Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
P M
PM
Gromann
F A
FA
Goossens
T
T
Olthof
J
J
Pronk
L
L
Krabbendam
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report