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Self-perception but not peer reputation of bullying victimization is associated with non-clinical psychotic experiences in adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 August 2012

P. M. Gromann ,
F. A. Goossens ,
T. Olthof ,
J. Pronk  and
L. Krabbendam
P. M. Gromann
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
F. A. Goossens
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
T. Olthof
Affiliation:
Department of Developmental Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. Pronk
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
L. Krabbendam*
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr L. Krabbendam, Center for Brain and Learning, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Adolescentsbullying victimizationpeer nominationpsychosisself-report
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 43 , Issue 4 , April 2013 , pp. 781 - 787
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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