Liking and Perceived Probability of Victimization of Peers Displaying Behaviors Characteristic of Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

Although several longitudinal studies have indicated that internalising behaviours can precede victimisation, there has been little attempt to examine the influence of these behaviours experimentally. In the current study 168, 12–14 year old participants read vignettes of peers displaying behaviours indicating anxiety, depression, or pro-social characteristics. For each vignette participants indicated their degree of liking of the hypothetical peer as well as the extent to which they believed that the peer would be victimised by others and by themself. Compared to hypothetical pro-social children, peers displaying anxious or depressed behaviours were less liked and were perceived as more likely to be victimised by both others and by the participant themself. The results point to the vulnerability produced by anxiety and depression and suggest programs that might be combined with whole-of-school approaches to empower victims.

Keywords

Bullying Victimization Anxiety Depression Peer relationships

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