Citation

Hong JS, Hsieh YP, Clary KL, Rose T, Russ R, Voisin DR. Violence Vict. 2019; 34(5): 850-866.

Affiliation

The University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, Toronto, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Springer Publishing)

DOI

10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-18-00127

PMID

31575819

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the link between peer victimization and substance use and tested the mediating role of internalizing problems in urban African American adolescents in Chicago. Six hundred and thirty-eight adolescents in Chicago's Southside participated in the study.

RESULTS from the hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that youth who reported peer victimization were at risk of internalizing problems. Those who were bullied by their peers were more likely to display internalizing problems, which was also significantly associated with substance use. Consistent with the self-medication hypothesis, findings from the study suggest that bullied youth are likely to display internalizing problems and turn to substance use. Implications for mental health practice in school settings are also discussed.

© Copyright 2019 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; bullying; mental health; peer victimization; substance use