Victimization and its associations with peer rejection and fear of victimization

Moderating effects of individual-level and classroom-level characteristics

Bibliographic Data

ID5263475
AuthorsLenka Kollerová (0000-0002-1050-454X, Institute of Psychology Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic, corresponding author), Filip Smolík (0000-0003-4160-6124, Institute of Psychology Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic)
Year2016
Volume86
Issue4
Pages640-656
Publication date2016-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Educational Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-0998 • E-ISSN: 2044-8279
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/bjep.12129
PMID27650881
OpenAlexW2521308019
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited66

BackgroundPast research has shown that peer victimization by bullying is associated with peer rejection and fear of victimization, but little is known about the interplay between victimization and other characteristics in the prediction of these experiences. We assume that the associations between victimization and peer rejection/fear of victimization are moderated by multiple characteristics, including aspects of peer ecology.AimsThe study tested whether the links between victimization and peer rejection/fear of victimization are moderated by gender, peer support, and two features of classroom peer ecology: classroom victimization rate and classroom hierarchy (the variability of popularity among students).SampleThe sample included 512 early adolescents attending sixth grade retrieved from 25 elementary school classrooms.MethodsParticipants completed a set of self-report and peer nomination instruments in classroom settings.ResultsMultilevel linear modelling showed that higher levels of peer rejection were associated with higher victimization, male gender, and lower peer support. The association between victimization and peer rejection was attenuated for females and when the classroom victimization rate was higher. A higher fear of victimization was related to higher victimization, female gender, lower peer support, and a higher classroom victimization rate. The link between victimization and fear of victimization was strengthened by female gender and higher levels of classroom hierarchy.ConclusionsThe results indicate the relevance of the interplay between victimization and gender and between victimization and classroom peer ecology in understanding peer rejection and fear of victimization

Developmental psychology · Medical emergency · Peer victimization · Poison control · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub