Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/fer.2017.045

Effect of Peer Victimization on Social Anxiety in Middle School Students and The Mediating Role of Self-Concept  

Kim, Ji Hye (Department of Child and Family Studies, Yonsei University)
Park, Ju Hee (Department of Child and Family Studies, Yonsei University)
Publication Information
Human Ecology Research / v.55, no.6, 2017 , pp. 625-635 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study examined the mediating effect of self-concept on the relationship of peer victimization and social anxiety in middle school students. Study participants consisted of 235 (122 boys and 113 girls) first to third graders from three middle schools located in Seoul and Gyung-gi province. The School Violence Experience Scale and the Self-Concept Scale were used to measure research variables in the Korean version of Social Anxiety Scale for adolescents. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the general tendency of study variables. In addition, structural equation modeling(SEM) was used to examine the mediating model. The study results were as follows. First, the level of peer victimization of the middle school students decreased the self-concept level; in addition, the self-concept level had a significant negative effect on the social anxiety level. Second, the self-concept level fully mediated the peer victimization and social anxiety relationship. In conclusion, a higher peer victimization level resulted in a lower self-concept level, that produced a higher social anxiety level in middle school students. The results suggested that implementing effective interventions to prevent peer victimization and encouraging a positive self-concept in middle school students would make a significant contribution to reducing social anxiety.
Keywords
middle school students; social anxiety; peer victimization; self-concept;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell.
2 Panayiotou, G., Karekla, M., & Panayiotou, M. (2014). Direct and indirect predictors of social anxiety: The role of anxiety sensitivity, behavioral inhibition, experiential avoidance and self-consciousness. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 55 (8), 1875-1882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.08.045   DOI
3 Peleg, O. (2012). Social anxiety and social adaptation among adolescents at three age levels. Social Psychology of Education, 15 (2), 207-218.   DOI
4 Platt, R., Williams, S. R., & Ginsburg, G. S. (2016). Stressful life events and child anxiety: Examining parent and child mediators. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 47 (1), 23-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0540-4   DOI
5 Ranta, K., Junttila, N., Laakkonen, E., Uhmavaara, A., La Greca, A. M., & Niemi, P. M. (2012). Social anxiety scale for adolescents (SAS-A): Measuring social anxiety among Finnish adolescents. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 43 (4), 574-591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-012-0285-2   DOI
6 Rapee, R. M. (1995). Descriptive psychopathology of social phobia. In R. G. Heimberg, M. R. Liebowitz, D. A. Hope, & F. R. Schneier (Eds.), Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment and treatment (pp.41-66). New York: Guilford Press.
7 Rapee, R. M., & Spence, S. H. (2004). The etiology of social phobia: Empirical evidence and an initial model. Clinical Psychology Review, 24 (7), 737-767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2004.06.004   DOI
8 Siegel, R. S., La Greca, A. M., & Harrison, H. M. (2009). Peer victimization and social anxiety in adolescents: Prospective and reciprocal relationships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38 (8), 1096-1109.   DOI
9 Rogers, C. R. (1951). Perceptual reorganization in client-centered therapy. In R. R. Blake & V. G. Ramsey (Eds.). Perception: An approach to personality (pp. 307-327). US: Ronald Press Company.
10 Salmivalli, C., & Isaacs, J. (2005). Prospective relations among victimization, rejection, friendlessness, and children's self-and peer-perceptions. Child Development, 76 (6), 1161-1171. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2005.00841.x-i1   DOI
11 Song, I. S. (2013). Self-concept . Seoul: Hakjisa.
12 The Foundation for Preventing Youth Violence (2013). Survey on school violence in 2012. Seoul: PYV.
13 The Ministry of Education (2017). Survey on school violence in 2017. Sejong: M.E.
14 Yang, J. W., Yang, Y. R., & Oh, K. J. (2008). Psychometric properties of the social anxiety scale for adolescents (K-SAS-S) in Korea. The Korean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 27 (4), 861-878.   DOI
15 Burnett, P. C., Pillay, H., & Dart, B. C. (2003). The influences of conceptions of learning and learner self-concept on high school students' approaches to learning. School Psychology International, 24 (1), 54-66.   DOI
16 Alden, L. E., & Taylor, C. T. (2004). Interpersonal processes in social phobia. Clinical Psychology Review, 24(7), 857-882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2004.07.006   DOI
17 Bae, B. R. (2014). AMOS 21 structural equation modeling . Seoul: Chung Ram Press. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632750701664293
18 Bosacki, S., Dane, A., & Marini, Z. (2007). Peer relationships and internalizing problems in adolescents: Mediating role of self-esteem. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 12 (4), 261-282.   DOI
19 Clark, D. M., & Wells, A. (1995). A cognitive model of social phobia. In R. G. Heimberg, M. R. Liebowits, D. A. Hope, & F. R. Schneier (Eds.), Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment (pp. 69-128). NY: Guilford Press.
20 Choi, M. K., & Min, D. G. (2015). The influences of parental behavior control and adolescents' anxiety on school related adjustment. Family and Environment Research, 53 (4), 363-373. https://doi.org/10.6115/fer.2015.029   DOI
21 Dumas, J. E., & Nilsen, W. J. (2005). Adolescent psychology . Seoul: Sigma Press.
22 Eslea, M., & Rees, J. (2001). At what age are children most likely to be bullied at school? Aggressive Behavior, 27 (6), 419-429. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.1027   DOI
23 Grills, A. E., & Ollendick, T. H. (2002). Peer victimization, global self-worth, and anxiety in middle school children. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 31 (1), 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15374424JCCP3101_08   DOI
24 Ghoul, A., Niwa, E. Y., & Boxer, P. (2013). The role of contingent self-worth in the relation between victimization and internalizing problems in adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 36 (3), 457-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.01.007   DOI
25 Graham, S., & Juvonen, J. (1998). Self-blame and peer victimization in middle school: an attributional analysis. Developmental Psychology, 34 (3), 587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.34.3.587   DOI
26 ren-Landell, M., Aho, N., Andersson, G., & Svedin, C. G. (2011). Social anxiety disorder and victimization in a community sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 34 (3), 569-577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.03.007   DOI
27 Harter, S. (1990). Self and identity development. In F. S. Shirley & E. G. Robert (Eds.). At the threshold: The developing adolescent (pp. 352-387). MA: Harvard University Press.
28 Kim, K. W. (2015). The effects of acceptance on reduction of social anxiety: development and effectiveness of an acceptance-based exposure therapy program for social anxiety (Unpublished master's thesis). Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
29 Jeong, M. K. (2014). The mediating effects of social competence on the relationship between the bullied experience in adolescents and social anxiety. Journal of School Social Work, 16 (2), 195-211.
30 Kim, K. S., & Yang, G. S. (2012). The effects of a forgiveness counseling program on forgiveness and self-concept of elementary school bullying victims. Korea Journal of Youth Counseling, 20 (1), 175-192.
31 Kwak, K. J. (2008). Korean Wang-ta: Characteristics and prevention program. Korean Journal of Psychological and Social Issues, 14 (1), 255-272.
32 Kwak, Y. G. (2006). A study awareness and experience of school violence (Unpublished master's thesis). Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea.
33 La Greca, A. M., & Lopez, N. (1998). Social anxiety among adolescents: Linkages with peer relations and friendships. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 26 (2), 83-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1022684520514   DOI
34 Lee, E. A. (2013). A study on the change and determinants of children and adolescents' self-concept in Korea (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
35 O'Moore, M., & Kirkham, C. (2001). Self-esteem and its relationship to bullying behaviour. Aggressive Behavior, 27 (4), 269-283. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.1010   DOI
36 Loudin, J. L., Loukas, A., & Robinson, S. (2003). Relational aggression in college students: Examining the roles of social anxiety and empathy. Aggressive Behavior, 29 (5), 430-439. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ab.10039   DOI
37 Mancini, C., Ameringen, M. V., Bennett, M., Patterson, B., & Watson, C. (2005). Emerging treatments for child and adolescent social phobia: A Review. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 15 (4), 589-607. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2005.15.589   DOI
38 Merrifield, C., Balk, D., & Moscovitch, D. A. (2013). Self-portrayal concerns mediate the relationship between recalled teasing and social anxiety symptoms in adults with anxiety disorders. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27 (5), 456-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.05.007   DOI
39 Moon, H. S. (2001). The mechanism of the influence of peer victimization experiences on the adolescent's social anxiety (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
40 Oh, K. J., & Yang, Y. R. (2003). Psychological mechanism associated with the development and maintenance of social anxiety in adolescence 2. The Korean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 22 (3), 577-597.
41 Ollendick, T. H., & Hirshfeld-Becker, D. R. (2002). The developmental psychopathology of social anxiety disorder. Biological Psychiatry, 51 (1), 44-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(01)01305-1   DOI