Affiliation value and extracurricular commitment moderate associations between peer victimization and depression

This study examined whether the prospective association between peer victimization and depressive symptoms is moderated by early adolescents' affiliation value (i.e., desire for social contact and close relationships) and extracurricular commitment (i.e., importance attributed to involvement in adult-led organized activities). Data were collected initially from 123 early adolescents in the fifth or sixth grade and again ten months later, following the transition to middle school. The association between peer victimization and adolescent-reported depressive symptoms was stronger at higher levels of parent-reported affiliation value compared to lower levels of affiliation value, and this moderation effect was consistent across models with adolescent-, parent-, and teacher-reported peer victimization. In addition, teacher-reported peer victimization predicted depressive symptoms among adolescents who were not highly committed to an organized extracurricular activity. Results suggest that social values and extracurricular commitment may be useful prevention or intervention targets.
Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology - Category: Child Development Source Type: research