Parents’ and Children’s Beliefs About Peer Victimization

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Abstract
This study examined how parents’ and children’s beliefs about peer victimization are related to children’s adjustment. A mediational model was proposed that addressed how adjustment is predicted by degree of victimization, as well as causal attributions of and coping responses to victimization. The participants were 100 fifth- or sixth-grade children and one of their parents (primarily mothers). Children’s ages ranged from 10 to12 years of age (M = 10 years and 10 months, SD = 6 months). Using procedures recommended by Kenny, Kashy, and Bolger, mediational models were examined using multiple regression analyses. Results for child ratings supported the hypothesis that the association between peer victimization and psychosocial maladjustment is mediated through characterological blame attributions; this pattern of association was evident within parent-report data as well. Coping responses were not significant mediators in the models that examined the predictors of maladjustment from perceived victimization, attributions, and coping responses.

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