Longitudinal Pathways on the Link between Bullying Victimization and Suicidal Ideation: Assessing Product of Coefficients Tests of the Four-Path Mediated Effect

• In Event: Victimization over the Life Course: Longitudinal Consequences of Bullying and Adverse Experiences

Abstract

The effects of negative life events on internalizing deviance are key issues for public health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal mediational pathways on the link between various straining experiences and suicidal ideation and to test whether these associations were mediated by the role of negative emotions. Data for this study were from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS), which was a longitudinal study among 7,027 Korean households, surveyed annually from 2006 through 2012. The results indicated that bullying victimization had important effects on negative emotions although the bullying victimization was not significant for later suicidal ideation. It confirms that individuals who experienced bullying victimization perceived this as a source of strain. Also, individuals who were bullied by others during the last year were more likely to feel negative emotions that, in turn, led to an increase of later suicidal ideation. It implies that individuals’ strain or stressors generate negative emotion, which leads to suicidal ideation as a possible coping skill.

Author

• Songyon Shin, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale