Moderating effects of team sports participation on the link between peer victimization and mental health problems

摘要

Peer victimization is defined as a type of abuse that occurs repeatedly over time and where the aggressors are one's peers (Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996). This type of victimization can be physical (e.g. hitting), verbal (e.g. insulting) or even relational (e.g. active rejection, spreading of rumors). Around 15% of children are being chronically victimized by their peers and these adverse experiences are relatively stable over time, with 46% of elementary school children that are victimized by their peers still suffering from victimization in adolescence (Scholte, Engels, Overbeek, de Kemp, & Haselager, 2007). Victimized children tend to display a lower self-esteem, elevated levels of anxiety and depression, and are at risk for suicide ideation (Leadbeater & Hoglund, 2009). Externalizing problems, particularly antisocial and aggressive behaviors, are also a frequent consequence of peer victimization (Menesini, Modena, & Tani, 2009). In light of these deleterious sequelae, it is important to identify factors that could, if not reduce victimization, at least help children cope with this stressful situation and alleviate the seriousness of the associated problems.