Citation

Rappaport BI, Jackson JJ, Whalen DJ, Pagliaccio D, Luby JL, Barch DM. Clinical Psychological Science 2021; 9(3): 350-372.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Association for Psychological Science, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/2167702620965936

PMID

34194869

Abstract

Understanding longitudinal associations between problematic peer relations and psychopathology are needed to inform public health. Three models have been proposed: poor peer relations i) lead or are a risk factor for psychopathology; ii) lag or are a consequence of psychopathology; iii) both lead and lag psychopathology. Another model is that poor peer relations lead or lag psychopathology depending upon the developmental period. To test these models, youth's peer relations and clinical symptoms were assessed up to 6 times between ages 3-11 in 306 children. Bivariate latent change score models tested leading/lagging longitudinal relationships between children's peer relations (peer victimization/rejection, peer-directed aggression, social withdrawal, prosocial behavior) and psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and externalizing symptoms). Peer victimization/rejection was a leading indicator of depression from early childhood into preadolescence. Peer-directed aggression was a leading indicator of externalizing symptoms (in late childhood).

Language: en

Keywords

depression; peer relations; aggressive behaviors; latent change score; peer victimization