Mediating Effects of Hopefulness in the Relationship Between Different Forms of Peer Victimization and Adolescents’ Emotional Dysfunction

Peer victimization is a pervasive problem that contributes to increased emotional dysfunction (e.g., loneliness, depression, helplessness) in children and adolescents. Importantly, not all students respond to peer victimization the same way. The current study examined the role of hopefulness as a possible protective mechanism that mediates the relationship between different forms of peer victimization (i.e., relational; RV and physical; PV) and emotional dysfunction among adolescents. One hundred eleven adolescents (M age = 11.4 years; 54% male) completed measures assessing hopefulness, emotional dysfunction, and exposure to RV and PV. Mediation analyses revealed significant direct effects for RV and PV on emotional dysfunction. However, when adding hopefulness as a mediator, these effects were diminished, suggesting partial mediation. Findings revealed that hopefulness partially explains the relationship between both forms of peer victimization and emotional dysfunction. Results suggest that targeting students’ hopefulness may serve as a protective mechanism to reduce the negative impacts of relational and physical peer victimization on adolescents’ emotional dysfunction. Implications for prevention and intervention work are discussed.

This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s42380-023-00184-8

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Work Title Mediating Effects of Hopefulness in the Relationship Between Different Forms of Peer Victimization and Adolescents’ Emotional Dysfunction
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Charisse Nixon
  2. Wilson James Brown
  3. Rebecca R. Frausel
  4. James Hodge
  5. Ava E. Michael
  6. Melanie D. Hetzel-Riggin
Keyword
  1. bullying
  2. hope
  3. relational victimization
  4. physical victimization
  5. emotional dysfunction
  6. mediation
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. International Journal of Bullying Prevention
Publication Date July 25, 2023
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-023-00184-8
Deposited September 09, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added April_28_FINAL_Clean_Copy.docx
  • Added Creator Charisse Nixon
  • Added Creator Wilson James Brown
  • Added Creator Rebecca R. Frausel
  • Added Creator James Hodge
  • Added Creator Ava E. Michael
  • Added Creator Melanie D. Hetzel-Riggin
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • bullying, hope, relational victimization, physical victimization, emotional dysfunction, mediation
    Publication Date
    • 2023-01-01
    • 2023-07-25