The Effect of Hope Level and Self-Concept on Peer Victimization Among Adolescents in Rural Areas of Turkey: A Path Analysis

Problem

Early adolescence (10–14 years) is a critical period in which peer victimization (PV) is common. In protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of adolescents, it is important to detect PV and evaluate its relationship with the level of hope and self-concept. This study aimed to determine the PV situation of adolescents living in rural areas and establish the effect of the level of hope and self-concept on this situation.

Method

This research was conducted with 830 adolescents studying at 7 secondary schools in rural Turkey. The predictive model study was conducted between May and June 2023. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Peer Victimization Scale, the Children's Hope Scale, and Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Path analysis were used to evaluate the data.

Findings

It was determined that the level of PV was low, the level of hope was high, and the self-concept was moderate in adolescents living in rural areas. It was found that hope had a negative effect (β = −0.339; p < 0.001) and self-concept had a positive effect (β = 0.284; p < 0.001) on PV.

Conclusions

Of the PV cases, 19.6% were explained with hope and self-concept in adolescents. It was concluded that hope and self-concept had a protective role in PV. This study results can be used by researchers to guide PV studies targeting adolescents living in rural areas and structure intervention studies aimed at preventing victimization. Being aware of protective factors, such as strengthening the individual's internal mechanisms such as self-concept and hope, may be important for interventions against PV.