Citation

Tanigawa D, Furlong MJ, Felix ED, Sharkey JD. J. School Violence 2011; 10(4): 393-412.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15388220.2011.602614

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Students who are victimized by their peers are at risk for developing depressive symptoms, which is detrimental for academic and social development. Social support may be a protective factor for peer victims, and the manner in which this occurs may vary according to gender, age, and other demographic variables. This study examined the main and stress-buffering effects of perceived social support from various sources against the manifestation of depressive symptoms for peer victims. A convenience sample of 544 seventh and eighth graders from three middle schools completed a survey assessing depressive symptoms, peer victimization experiences, and perceived social support from parents, teachers, classmates, and a close friend. Perceived social support from parents and from a close friend buffered the manifestation of depressive symptoms for male peer victims. Main effects, but not stress-buffering effects, were found for female peer victims across all sources of support. Implications of these findings, limitations of the study, and future directions are discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

social support; depression; bullying; victimization