Longitudinal links among childhood maltreatment, internalizing problems, and peer victimization of Chinese adolescents: A developmental cascade model

Abstract

Despite evidence of a strong connection between childhood maltreatment and peer victimization, the reasons for this link are complex. One possibility is that internalizing problems mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and peer victimization. This study explored the long-term relationship between childhood maltreatment, internalizing problems, and peer victimization among Chinese adolescents using developmental cascade models. We recruited 505 students from a high school in western China (213 girls; M = 15.91, SD = 0.62). Our results showed that even when accounting for control variables, childhood maltreatment worsened future internalizing problems, which, in turn, led to increased peer victimization among these adolescents. Additionally, our analysis revealed no significant gender differences in any of the studied pathways. These findings clarify the complex relationship between childhood maltreatment, internalizing problems, and peer victimization, offering valuable insights for preventing adolescent victimization.