Peer and online victimization among Chinese adolescents: Unique direct and indirect relationships with psychological distress

Abstract

Research has examined the adverse effects of peer and online victimization on adolescents’ psychological distress, but little is known about the unique impact of peer and online victimization on psychological distress and the potential mechanisms underlying this association. This study investigates the distinctive direct and indirect relationship between peer victimization, online victimization, and adolescents’ psychological distress through the potential chain mediation of social anxiety and withdrawal and the moderating role of gender differences. A total of 974 students from 6 elementary and junior high schools completed the self-report questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey. This study adopts structural equation modeling to examine the hypothesized model. Results show that peer victimization directly influences adolescents’ psychological distress, with stronger effects of peer victimization than online victimization. Social anxiety and social withdrawal mediate the relationship between peer victimization, online victimization, and psychological distress. In addition, the chain mediating mechanism of social anxiety and withdrawal functions in the relationship between peer victimization, online victimization, and psychological distress. Finally, females are more vulnerable to the effect of peer victimization on adolescents’ psychological distress. The research deepens the knowledge of the unique effects of peer and online victimization, as well as the underlying mechanisms of social anxiety and withdrawal. This study also provides practical implications for policies, schools, and social workers for the prevention and intervention of victimization in adolescents and the promotion of their well-being.