The role of shame in chronic peer victimization.

Emotional reactions to peer victimization may increase risk for subsequent peer victimization. In the present study, we investigated whether shame mediated the development of chronic peer victimization, i.e., young people's experiences of being bullied persistently across time. We used a multiple mediation model to test the indirect effects of Time-1 victimization on Time-3 victimization (1 year later) through 4 Time-2 shame-related variables (characterological, bodily, and behavioral shame; shame proneness) for 396 youth (10-13 years of age). The total indirect effect of Time-1 victimization on Time-3 victimization through the 4 shame-related mediators was statistically significant. Analyses revealed specific indirect positive effects for bodily shame and shame proneness. Findings suggest that shame may be an emotional mechanism underlying chronic peer victimization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).