Abstract
Microcontextual factors (i.e., contextual characteristics of the specific victimization incident) may help to explain the
association between adolescents’ daily peer victimization experiences and well-being. In the present study, daily report methodology
was used to assess sixth (N = 150; 53% girls) and ninth grade (N = 150; 50% girls) students’ current well-being and peer victimization
earlier in the day on 5 random school days within a 2-week period. Associations between peer victimization microcontextual
factors (number of aggressors, presence of witnesses, and receipt of help) and fluctuations in adolescents’ daily well-being
(humiliation, worry, and physical symptoms) were examined in an ethnically diverse sample of White, Latino, Asian, African
American, and multiethnic students. Humiliation increased on days in which students reported public victimization, multiple
aggressors, and no help. Worry increased on days students experienced private victimization and when boys (but not girls)
experienced private victimization, victimization by a single aggressor, and received peer help. Physical symptoms were higher
on days that victimization occurred, regardless of context, but only for sixth graders and not ninth graders. These findings
suggest that the victimization microcontext can offer insight about the types of peer victimization exposure that might produce
the greatest daily risk for adolescents.
association between adolescents’ daily peer victimization experiences and well-being. In the present study, daily report methodology
was used to assess sixth (N = 150; 53% girls) and ninth grade (N = 150; 50% girls) students’ current well-being and peer victimization
earlier in the day on 5 random school days within a 2-week period. Associations between peer victimization microcontextual
factors (number of aggressors, presence of witnesses, and receipt of help) and fluctuations in adolescents’ daily well-being
(humiliation, worry, and physical symptoms) were examined in an ethnically diverse sample of White, Latino, Asian, African
American, and multiethnic students. Humiliation increased on days in which students reported public victimization, multiple
aggressors, and no help. Worry increased on days students experienced private victimization and when boys (but not girls)
experienced private victimization, victimization by a single aggressor, and received peer help. Physical symptoms were higher
on days that victimization occurred, regardless of context, but only for sixth graders and not ninth graders. These findings
suggest that the victimization microcontext can offer insight about the types of peer victimization exposure that might produce
the greatest daily risk for adolescents.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9669-z
- Authors
- Adrienne Nishina, Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891