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Peer Victimization among Classmates—Associations with Students’ Internalizing Problems, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction

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  • Sara B. Låftman

    (Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Bitte Modin

    (Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

Bullying is a major problem in schools and a large number of studies have demonstrated that victims have a high excess risk of poor mental health. It may however also affect those who are not directly victimized by peers. The present study investigates whether peer victimization among classmates is linked to internalizing problems, self-esteem, and life satisfaction at the individual level, when the student’s own victimization has been taken into account. The data were derived from the first wave of the Swedish part of Youth in Europe Study (YES!), including information on 4319 students in grade 8 (14–15 years of age) distributed across 242 classes. Results from multilevel analyses show a significant association between classes with a high proportion of students being victimized and higher levels of internalizing problems, lower self-esteem, and lower life satisfaction at the student level. This association holds when the student’s own victimization has been taken into account. This suggests that peer victimization negatively affects those who are directly exposed, as well as their classmates. We conclude that efficient methods and interventions to reduce bullying in school are likely to benefit not only those who are victimized, but all students.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara B. Låftman & Bitte Modin, 2017. "Peer Victimization among Classmates—Associations with Students’ Internalizing Problems, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:10:p:1218-:d:114827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alm, Susanne & Låftman, Sara B., 2016. "Future orientation climate in the school class: Relations to adolescent delinquency, heavy alcohol use, and internalizing problems," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 324-331.
    2. Tippett, N. & Wolke, D., 2014. "Socioeconomic status and bullying: A meta-analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(6), pages 48-59.
    3. Brolin Låftman, Sara & Östberg, Viveca, 2006. "The pros and cons of social relations: An analysis of adolescents' health complaints," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 611-623, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bitte Modin & Stephanie Plenty & Sara B. Låftman & Malin Bergström & Marie Berlin & Per A. Gustafsson & Anders Hjern, 2018. "School Contextual Features of Social Disorder and Mental Health Complaints—A Multilevel Analysis of Swedish Sixth-Grade Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Cirenia Quintana-Orts & Lourdes Rey, 2018. "Traditional Bullying, Cyberbullying and Mental Health in Early Adolescents: Forgiveness as a Protective Factor of Peer Victimisation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, October.

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