Poster #224 - Impact of Perpetrator Characteristics on Victim Adjustment During Early Adolescence

• In Event: 1-169 - Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Section - Social Relationships

Integrative Statement

This study examines the effect of perpetrator characteristics and the perpetrator-victim relationship on adjustment. Victimization has been associated with a host of maladaptive outcomes, such as loneliness (Craig, 1998). There is heterogeneity in the risk for victimization maladjustment (Hanish & Guerra, 2002), yet little is known about the role of perpetrator characteristics in this differential risk. Research has suggested that coping strategies may be used to mitigate victimization outcomes (Kochenderfer-Ladd & Skinner, 2002). We propose that perpetrator characteristics and qualities of the perpetrator-victim relationship (their similarities and differences) may influence how a victim reacts to and copes with victimization and consequent adjustment.
The sample included 341 6th-grade students (54% female, Mage = 12.01, SD = 0.44; 49% Black). Social victimization was measured by three self-reported items (e.g., “Excluded you from a group”; α =0.79). Overt victimization was assessed with three items (e.g., “Picked on you”; α =0.81). Victimized participants were asked to name individuals who victimized them (SV: 97; OV:158). Social perpetrators were identified from nominations of three items (e.g., “Who has spread rumors about you?”), overt perpetrators from three items (e.g., “Who has teased or made fun of you”). For each victim, the average characteristic scores across all perpetrators of a specific form of victimization (i.e., overt or social) were calculated to assess perpetrator characteristics. Status (“popular”, “cool”; = .93), social aggression (“starts rumors”, “sets up fights”; = .80), overt aggression (“starts fights” and “bully”; = .76) for both victims and perpetrators were all measured using peer nominations. Perpetrator gender and race match were calculated by coding whether each nominated perpetrator matched or mismatched the victim’s gender or race and the mean of all matches was calculated. Victim reports of loneliness were measured via a condensed version of the Loneliness Scale, containing seven items ( = .70).
Regression analyses examined the effect of the victim characteristic, perpetrator characteristic or match variable, and the interaction of those on loneliness. Having overt perpetrators of the other gender (Table 1) and the interaction of victim race and social perpetrator race match was associated with loneliness (Figure 1). Hispanic adolescents who were socially victimized by Hispanic perpetrators had higher levels of loneliness than those with other race perpetrators. The interaction of victim and perpetrator overt aggression was associated with loneliness, such that highly aggressive victims targeted by highly aggressive perpetrators reported higher levels of loneliness than less aggressive peers.
Coping mechanisms operate differently based on the social context, social victimization within smaller, minority groups, such as Hispanic adolescents, by another in-group member may be particularly detrimental for loneliness because they may not be able to reach out for peer support to cope. More atypical victim-perpetrator relationships (i.e., cross gender dyads for overt victimization), also affect available social resources and loneliness. Aggressive youth may exacerbate their victimization and their adjustment and dissuade peers who would usually provide them support. Additional analyses will further examine the effect of perpetrator characteristics and the perpetrator-victim relationship on other forms of adjustment.

Authors

• Michelle Rosie, Temple University
  Presenting Author

• Hongling Xie, Temple University
  Non-Presenting Author