Citation

Ledwell M, King V. J. Fam. Issues 2015; 36(5): 543-566.

Affiliation

The Pennsylvania State University, 203 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802, Fax (814)863-7216, (814)863-8716.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0192513X13491410

PMID

25892837

PMCID

PMC4398340

Abstract

Bullying is a widespread problem facing American adolescents. A better understanding of factors that may moderate the impact of bullying is important given its negative consequences for well-being. This study examines the association between bullying experiences and internalizing problems among a nationally representative sample of young adolescents. Additionally, we consider the ease of parental communication as a potential moderating factor in these associations. Using a structural equation modeling technique, results suggest that bullying is characteristically different for adolescent boys and girls and that its association with internalizing problems is stronger for adolescent females.

RESULTS also indicate that parental communication moderates the association between bullying and internalizing problems; higher levels of parental communication buffer adolescents against the negative influence of bullying.

Language: en