Fogleman ND, McQuade JD, Mehari KR, Becker SP. In-person victimization, cyber victimization, and polyvictimization in relation to internalizing symptoms and self-esteem in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Child Care Health Dev 2021;
47:805-815. [PMID:
34155671 PMCID:
PMC10507597 DOI:
10.1111/cch.12888]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
There is mixed evidence for whether in-person victimization and cyber victimization are differentially linked to internalizing symptoms and self-esteem among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The goals of the present study were to (1) evaluate in-person victimization and cyber victimization in relation to internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression) and self-esteem and (2) examine differences in internalizing symptoms and self-esteem between in-person victimization, cyber victimization, and polyvictimization (i.e., both in-person victimization and cyber victimization).
METHODS
Participants were 78 adolescents (ages 13-17 years) diagnosed with ADHD who completed ratings of in-person victimization, cyber victimization, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Parents completed ratings of their adolescent's anxiety and depression.
RESULTS
Adolescents with ADHD reported experiencing higher rates of in-person victimization (64%) than cyber victimization (23%) in the last 30 days. In addition, 22% reported that they experienced polyvictimization. In-person victimization was associated with higher adolescent-reported anxiety symptoms, whereas cyber victimization was associated with higher parent-reported depressive symptoms; both were associated with lower adolescent-reported self-esteem. Adolescents who reported polyvictimization reported the highest anxiety and depressive symptoms and the lowest self-esteem.
CONCLUSIONS
Approximately one quarter of adolescents with ADHD report experiencing polyvictimization in the past month. Findings indicate that in-person victimization and cyber victimization are each uniquely associated with lower self-esteem and differentially associated with co-occurring internalizing symptoms among adolescents with ADHD. Polyvictimization is especially linked to higher internalizing symptoms and lower self-esteem. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the directionality of these associations.
Collapse