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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

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01-08-2021 | Original Article

A Longitudinal Analysis of Peer Victimization, Self-Esteem, and Rejection Sensitivity in Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents

Authors: Taryn Nepon, Debra J. Pepler, Wendy M. Craig, Jennifer Connolly, Gordon L. Flett

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

The current study evaluated factors that can help to account for the links between peer victimization and distress among 1039 adolescents. We assessed whether rejection sensitivity and self-esteem mediate the longitudinal associations between peer victimization and mental health problems. High school students completed a series of self-report questionnaires assessing forms of peer victimization, rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and substance use at two time points. The key finding was that both rejection sensitivity and self-esteem mediated the associations between peer victimization at Time 1 and mental health problems 1-year later. These results help illuminate the mechanisms through which peer victimization is associated with mental health problems in adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

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Title: A Longitudinal Analysis of Peer Victimization, Self-Esteem, and Rejection Sensitivity in Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents
Authors: Taryn Nepon
Debra J. Pepler
Wendy M. Craig
Jennifer Connolly
Gordon L. Flett
Publication date: 01-08-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00215-w

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A Longitudinal Analysis of Peer Victimization, Self-Esteem, and Rejection Sensitivity in Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents

Abstract

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