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Bully victimisation and psychosocial health in adolescents: Gender differences in depression, anxiety, social problems, and perceived wellness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Adrian J Schembri ,
John E Reece  and
Emma Wade
Adrian J Schembri*
Affiliation:
RMIT University
John E Reece
Affiliation:
RMIT University
Emma Wade
Affiliation:
RMIT University
*
Division of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, PO Box 71, Bundoora West Campus, VIC 3083, Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the relationships among bully victimisation and psychosocial health in terms of depression, anxiety, social problems, and perceived wellness. The study also endeavoured to evaluate the gender differences associated with each of these psychosociol variables across varying levels of victimisation. The sample consisted of 180 female and 198 male secondary school students, who each completed a questionnaire package containing scales measuring bully victimisation and psychosocial health. Results indicated that repeated victimisation was associated with heightened levels of depression and anxiety, a greater incidence of social problems, and poorer perceptions of wellbeing. However, being bullied had a greater impact on the perceived wellness of males when compared with females. The results also revealed that social problems may mediate the relationship between depression, perceived wellness, and level of victimisation. It was concluded that bully victimisation is associated with poorer psychosacial health in both male and female adolescents. However, future research should evaluate other potential mediating or moderating relationships between bully victimisation and psychosocial health.

Keywords

Bully victimisationPsychosocial health
Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , 2006 , pp. 17 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 2006

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