Tamika C B Zapolski1, Alia T Rowe2, Sycarah Fisher3, Devon J Hensel4, Jessica Barnes-Najor5. 1. Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, United States. Electronic address: tzapolsk@iupui.edu. 2. Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, United States. 3. University of Kentucky, United States. 4. Indiana University School of Medicine, United States. 5. Michigan State University, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Peer victimization in school is common, with emerging literature suggesting that it may also increase risk for substance abuse. Yet, little is known about the underlying mechanisms within this risk pathway. The objective of this study is to use a prospective 3-wave design to examine the mediating role of depressive symptomatology on the relationship between peer victimization and substance use, as well as examine if the pathway varies based on gender. METHOD: 801 youth between 6th and 12th grade completed surveys across three years, which included measures on school peer victimization, depression symptomatology and substance use. Models tested the mediational pathway between victimization, depressive symptoms, and substance use. Models were stratified by gender. RESULTS: Controlling for grade and the effect of each variable across waves, a significant indirect effect of peer victimization on substance use through depressive symptoms was found for females, with a non-significant indirect effect for males. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that female youth who are victimized by peers engage in substance use behaviors, at least in part, due to increases in depressive symptoms. Given its effect on depression, female victims may therefore benefit from coping skills training that targets emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills in order to combat increased risk for substance use behaviors as a coping response to their victimization. Further research is warranted to better understand the risk pathway for male youth who also experience peer victimization.
OBJECTIVE: Peer victimization in school is common, with emerging literature suggesting that it may also increase risk for substance abuse. Yet, little is known about the underlying mechanisms within this risk pathway. The objective of this study is to use a prospective 3-wave design to examine the mediating role of depressive symptomatology on the relationship between peer victimization and substance use, as well as examine if the pathway varies based on gender. METHOD: 801 youth between 6th and 12th grade completed surveys across three years, which included measures on school peer victimization, depression symptomatology and substance use. Models tested the mediational pathway between victimization, depressive symptoms, and substance use. Models were stratified by gender. RESULTS: Controlling for grade and the effect of each variable across waves, a significant indirect effect of peer victimization on substance use through depressive symptoms was found for females, with a non-significant indirect effect for males. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that female youth who are victimized by peers engage in substance use behaviors, at least in part, due to increases in depressive symptoms. Given its effect on depression, female victims may therefore benefit from coping skills training that targets emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills in order to combat increased risk for substance use behaviors as a coping response to their victimization. Further research is warranted to better understand the risk pathway for male youth who also experience peer victimization.
Authors: Judy Garber; Gregory N Clarke; V Robin Weersing; William R Beardslee; David A Brent; Tracy R G Gladstone; Lynn L DeBar; Frances L Lynch; Eugene D'Angelo; Steven D Hollon; Wael Shamseddeen; Satish Iyengar Journal: JAMA Date: 2009-06-03 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Jessica L Hamilton; Evan M Kleiman; Liza M Rubenstein; Jonathan P Stange; Megan Flynn; Lyn Y Abramson; Lauren B Alloy Journal: J Youth Adolesc Date: 2015-02-14