Testing sex-specific pathways from peer victimization to anxiety and depression in early adolescents through a randomized intervention trial

J Affect Disord. 2007 Jun;100(1-3):221-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2006.11.003. Epub 2006 Dec 8.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test for sex differences in the role of physical and relational victimization in anxiety and depression development through a randomized prevention trial. 448 seven-year-old boys and girls were randomly assigned to the Good Behavior Game intervention, a two-year universal classroom based intervention aimed at reducing disruptive behavior problems and creating a safe and predictable classroom environment, or to a control condition. Assessments of self-reported physical and relational victimization at age 10 years, and self-reported major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic/agoraphobia symptoms at age 13 years were available. Reductions in anxiety/depression were mediated by reduced rates of relational victimization in girls, whereas reductions in physical victimization accounted for the reduced anxiety/depression scores among boys. The results support sex-specific pathways of victimization leading to anxiety and depression.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Anxiety / therapy*
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / psychology
  • Child
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Faculty
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Observer Variation
  • Parents
  • Peer Group*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Sex Factors