Citation

Valois RF, Kerr JC, Huebner SE. Am. J. Health Educ. 2012; 43(5): 258-268.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19325037.2012.10599244

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Peer victimization among adolescents has been linked to increased psychological stress, psychosomatic illness, anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, suicide ideation and poor physical health.

PURPOSE: This study explored associations between peer victimization and adolescents' perceptions of life satisfaction.

METHODS: Public middle school students grades 6th-8th (N = 1, 253) completed a questionnaire measuring peer victimization and perceived life satisfaction. Regression analyses examined relationshipsbetween peer victimization and life satisfaction across four race/gender groups.

RESULTS: Findings determined significant associations (P < 0.05) for reduced life satisfaction and peer victimization due to religion for white females (OR = 2.18); victimization for gender for white females (O = 2.63); victimization for race/ethnicity for white males (OR = 2.54) and white females (OR = 2.70); victimization forsexual orientation for white females (OR = 7.71); victimization for a disability for white males (OR = 3.29) black females (OR = 3.95) and white females (OR = 6.59) and truancy due to bullying for white females (OR = 5.15).

DISCUSSION: Life satisfaction is related to specific peer victimizationbehaviors for early adolescents for specific race/gender groups. Translation to Health Education Practice: Whole school approaches to bully prevention might not be equally effective for specific race-gender groups in all situations. Comprehensive peer victimization prevention programs need to include, smaller-scale, culturally contextual focused intervention components for maximum effectiveness. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Language: en