2-130 - Can physiological and genetic factors explain variation in vulnerability to the effects of peer victimization?

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Peer victimization has been associated with a range of maladjustment symptoms covering the externalizing, internalizing, and somatic spectrum. Previous studies into differences in vulnerability to the effects of peer victimization have focused on moderators from the psychological and social spectrum. Extending this research, the studies in this symposium focused on physiological and genetic factors that may affect whether and how peer victimization jeopardizes adjustment and psychological wellbeing among children and adolescents. Specifically, the first study examined how pupillary response as an indicator of neurological reactivity to social stimuli moderates associations between peer victimization and aggression as well as internalizing problems. The second study used a behavioral genetic twin design to understand the role of genetic and environmental contributions to associations between peer victimization and children’s cortisol circadian rhythm, a measure of stress. The third study used a person-centered approach to examine whether specific genotypes affect the relative risk of specific maladjustment forms following peer victimization. Taken together, this symposium clarifies why physiological and genetic factors should not be overlooked in the search for moderators of peer victimization risk and introduces innovative approaches to this field.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Tina Kretschmer, University of Groningen

Discussant

• Edward D Barker, King's College London

Individual Presentations

• Pupil Dilation in Response to Scenes of Bullying: Moderating Effects on the Links between Peer Victimization and Adjustment - Presenting Author: Wendy Troop-Gordon, North Dakota State University; Greg J. Siegle, University of Pittsburgh; Bethany M Schwandt, North Dakota State University; Robert D. Gordon, North Dakota State University; Elizabeth Ewing-Lee; Kari J Visconti, George Mason University

• Link Between Peer Victimization and Blunted Diurnal Cortisol – What is Left When Genetic Effects are Controlled? - Presenting Author: Mara Brendgen, Univ du Quebec a Montreal; Alain Girard, University of Montreal; Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, Univ of Montreal; Sonia Lupien, University of Montreal; Ginette Dionne, Laval University; Frank Vitaro, Univ of Montreal; Michel Boivin, Laval University

• Multifinality of peer victimization: Are genetic polymorphisms implied in individual pathways of maladjustment? - Presenting Author: Tina Kretschmer, University of Groningen; Edward D Barker, King's College London; Albertine Oldehinkel, University of Groningen; Rene Veenstra, University of Groningen