Longitudinal Associations Among Bullying Victimization,Self-Esteem,and Adolescents’ Depression

The “Program to Explore Specialized Services for Depression Prevention and Treatment” states that the focus should be on increasing the prevention and treatment of depression in adolescents and safeguarding the physical and mental health of the adolescent population.Adolescence is a transitional period in which a series of physical and psychological changes are taking place,which makes it a period of high risk for adolescents to develop internalizing problems such as depression.The factors influencing adolescents’ depression and the mechanisms underlying it have long been a focus of research in the field of depression science.A review of the literature reveals that most previous studies are based on cross-sectional research designs or longitudinal designs at two time points,which cannot examine the stability of variables across time,nor can they examine the cyclical patterns and dynamic trends among variables.Therefore,this study uses a longitudinal design with three time points to explore the relationship,underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions between bullying victimization and adolescents’ depression based on a cross-lagged model and a parallel latent growth model.In this study,a three-wave longitudinal study was conducted on seventh grade students from seven middle schools in Taiyuan and Changzhi,Shanxi Province,with the first measurement in November 2018 and every other year thereafter.The Chinese version of the Olweus Bullying/Bullying Victimization Questionnaire,the Self-Esteem Scale,and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale were used as measurement instruments,and the questionnaire method was used to collect relevant data.The study firstly explained the interaction between bullying victimization and adolescents’ depression from a dynamic perspective by constructing a cross-lagged model and a parallel latent growth model.Secondly,a longitudinal cross-lagged model was used to explore the relationships between bullying victimization,self-esteem and adolescents’ depression and the mediating role of self-esteem.Finally,the study further explores the moderating role of gender and family socio-economic status in the relationships among bullying victimization,self-esteem and adolescents’ depression.(1)The initial level and rate of development of bullying victimization(depression)positively predicted the initial level and rate of development of depression(bullying victimization)in adolescents.(2)The initial level of bullying victimization(depression)positively(negatively)predicted the development of depression(bullying victimization)in adolescents.(3)A bidirectional relationship exists between bullying victimization and self-esteem at T1-T2.(4)A bidirectional relationship exists between self-esteem and depression at T2-T3.(5)Self-esteem at T2 mediated significantly between bullying victimization at T1 and adolescents’ depression at T3.That is,bullying victimization can indirectly influence adolescents’ depression through self-esteem.(6)Gender moderates the relationships among bullying victimization,self-esteem and adolescents’ depression.(7)Family socio-economic status moderates the relationships among bullying victimization,self-esteem and adolescents’ depression.In summary,this study systematically illustrates the relationship between bullying victimization and adolescents’ depression from a longitudinal,dynamic and developmental perspective,providing empirical support for the prevention and intervention of adolescents’ depression,with potential applications for reducing the risk of adolescents’ depression and promoting the long-term mental health of adolescents.