The role of core self-evaluation between peer victimization and depression: A longitudinal multilevel moderated mediation model and the healthy context paradox in Chinese adolescents.

BACKGROUND

According to the healthy context paradox, the negative effects of peer victimization on core self-evaluation and depressive symptoms may vary in different levels of classroom-level victimization. However, previous studies have not investigated this issue using a longitudinal study design.

OBJECTIVE

The present study used a longitudinal design to examine why and under what conditions peer victimization was associated with adolescents' depressive symptoms.

METHOD

A large number of Chinese adolescents (Time 1: N = 4164, 50.3 % girls, M = 12.89, SD = 0.77; Time 2: N = 4001, 50.4 % girls, M = 14.39, SD = 0.75) were followed for one and a half years.

RESULTS

Results showed that adolescents who were victimized in healthy contexts were more depressed and were at an increased risk of reporting more negative core self-evaluation than those victimized in unhealthy contexts. Moreover, core self-evaluation served as a mediator between peer victimization and depressive symptoms.

LIMITATIONS

This study included two waves of data, which limited the exploration of dynamic relationships between peer victimization and depressive symptoms. In addition, the self-reported data weakened the objectivity of the results. Finally, this study neglected the effects of different dimensions of peer victimization on depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The healthy context paradox of peer victimization is identified in China, highlighting that future interventions of peer victimization should pay more attention to specific remaining victimized and self-devaluing individuals in healthy contexts.