Trajectories of victimization across the school years: individual and peer context predictors

Peer victimization can be a chronic stressor for some youth but not all youth. To understand the predictors of continuity and discontinuity of overt and relational victimization over an extended period of time, this study examined the independent and unique contributions of predictors that are associated with individual characteristics (social behavior) and a contextual factor (peer adversity), from 2nd to 8th grade, spanning the transition to middle school. In Chapter 1, the overall trajectories of victimization were found to decline for both types of victimization for both girls and boys. In Chapter 2, the independent contribution of each predictor to the intercepts and trajectories of victimization was examined. The analyses demonstrated that both individual and peer context factors contribute to 2nd grade victimization and the trajectories of victimization. Interestingly, some of these effects were stronger in boys during elementary school and in girls after the transition to middle school. In Chapter 3, unique contributions of predictors were investigated by examining the effects of predictors simultaneously. Overall, the results suggested that peer adversity did not predict 2nd grade victimization or the trajectories of victimization above and beyond individual characteristics. Results are discussed in regards to prevention of prolonged victimization, with attention to sex differences and youth who have multiple risk factors.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Sugimura, Niwako

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rudolph, Karen D.
• Pomerantz, Eva M.
• Berry, Daniel
• McElwain, Nancy L.
• Troop-Gordon, Wendy

• peer victimization
• trajectories

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2015 Niwako Sugimura

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/88153

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/88153