Peer victimization among adolescents : a comparison between internet and non-internet victimization

Abstract

Background: Adolescents represent one-fifth of the world's population. More than one million adolescents die each year with interpersonal violence being one of the leading causes of death in adolescents. Peer interactions can lead to aggression among adolescents and plays an important role in socio-emotional development in the adolescence period. These interactions can sometimes result in detrimental consequences. Prevention of internet and non-internet victimization requires more rigorous assessments to provide impetus to community partners to collaborate and monitor important social determinants of health. Methods: This dissertation is informed by the public health approach, covering two cross-sectional investigations conducted in mainland China and Hong Kong, with the objectives of analyzing the prevalence, risk factors, and health consequences of peer victimization among adolescents, comparing Internet and non-Internet victimization. Study One recruited 18,341 adolescents aged 15-17 from five major cities in mainland China and Hong Kong and examined the risk factors and health correlates of peer victimization. Study Two used 2,120 adolescent samples recruited in Hong Kong and investigated the relationships between Internet victimization and emotional problems. Structured multiphase logistic regression was used for the statistical analysis. Results: 1) Prevalence of peer victimization: 42.9% of adolescents in China experienced peer victimization in their lifetime. A total of 37.6% reported non-Internet victimization and 4.6% reported Internet victimization (0.7% missing data on the venues). 2) Risk factors of peer victimization: Being a male, young age, and having siblings at home bring great risks to the possibility of peer victimization. Parents' divorce, separation and widowhood, mother's low education level, father's unemployment, and family's below-median income are associated with greater risks of peer victimization. 3) Connections between family victimization and peer victimization: All types of family violence, including experiences of parental intimate partner violence, abuse by elders, child maltreatment, and in-law conflict were associated with adolescents' peer victimization. 4) Health and mental-health correlates of peer victimization: Peer victims reported higher rates of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, deliberate self-harm and suicide ideation, low self-esteem, and health-related quality of life. No significant difference is noted between victims who reported internet and non-internet victimization in regard to these health items. Conclusion: Adolescence is a critical period of life. Preventing peer victimization requires comprehensive approaches to address the social determinants of violence, including health inequality, rapid social change, and disadvantages of social protection. The findings from the two studies in this dissertation contribute to the understanding of the associated characteristics between Internet and non-Internet victimization among adolescents. The empirical results complemented several underrepresented relationships and clarified specific mechanisms of the peer victimization related health impacts. Implications for future research, practice, and policy are discussed based on the research findings.