ERIC Number: EJ727021
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 26
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-4316
Early Puberty, Peer Victimization, and Internalizing Symptoms in Ethnic Minority Adolescents
Nadeem, Erum; Graham, Sandra
Journal of Early Adolescence, v25 n2 p197-222 2005
One thousand twenty-four African American and Latino sixth graders participated in a study examining the moderating role of pubertal development on the relation between peer victimization and adolescent self-worth, depressed mood, and physical symptoms using peer and self-reported victimization. It was hypothesized that early-maturing girls who were victimized would experience heightened internalized distress. Among boys, two competing hypotheses were tested: (a) the imbalance of power hypothesis predicted that late-maturing boys who were victimized would experience more psychological distress; and (b) the social misfit hypothesis predicted that early-maturing victims would experience more distress. Results indicated that African American and Latino early-maturing boys and girls who were viewed as victims by their peers reported elevated depressed mood and physical symptoms and lower self-worth. The moderating role of early puberty was documented with reputational (peer report) measures of victimization rather than self-report measures, which highlights the social consequences of early maturation.
Descriptors: Grade 6, Victims of Crime, Puberty, Adolescents, Depression (Psychology), African American Students, Hispanic American Students, Adolescent Development, Bullying, Self Concept, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Social Influences
SAGE Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-583-2665 (Toll Free).
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A

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