Peer Victimization and Problem Behaviors: The Roles of Self-Esteem and Parental Attachment Among Chinese Adolescents

Yangu Pan; Chunyan Yang; Guangzeng Liu; Meiki Chan; Chuanxing Liu; Dajun Zhang

doi:10.1111/cdev.13319

Peer Victimization and Problem Behaviors: The Roles of Self-Esteem and Parental Attachment Among Chinese Adolescents

Child Dev. 2020 Jul;91(4):e968-e983. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13319. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Authors

Yangu Pan¹, Chunyan Yang², Guangzeng Liu³, Meiki Chan⁴, Chuanxing Liu⁵, Dajun Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.
² University of California, Berkeley.
³ Southwest University.
⁴ University of California, Santa Barbara.
⁵ Sichuan Institute of Education Sciences.

PMID: 31663608
DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13319

Abstract

Guided by the social-ecological diathesis-stress model, this longitudinal study examined the roles of self-esteem, parental attachment, and gender on the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors among Chinese early adolescents. A total of 466 Chinese middle school students (M_age = 12.8 years) completed measures of peer victimization, self-esteem, and paternal and maternal attachment twice (T1 and T2; 6-month interval). Their guardians also completed ratings on adolescents' problem behaviors at both T1 and T2. Results indicated that self-esteem mediated the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors. Paternal attachment, but not maternal attachment, moderated the mediating effect of self-esteem. Moreover, the moderating effect of maternal attachment on the association between peer victimization and self-esteem varied depending on adolescents' gender.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Bullying / psychology*
Child
China
Crime Victims / psychology*
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Object Attachment*
Parent-Child Relations*
Peer Group*
Problem Behavior / psychology*
Self Concept*