Aggression and victimization: Risk for development of depression and eating disorders

Stacey Fridman, Pace University

Abstract

The present study aims to expand on the existing literature by specifically examining the relationship between relational and overt victimization and psychological well being (i.e., depression, eating disordered behavior) in a college-age sample. A sample of 121 participants completed a self-report questionnaire packet including the Revised Peer Experiences Questionnaire (RPEQ), the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) and the shortened version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) . Regression analysis revealed that overt aggression and victimization as well as relational aggression were not significant predictors of depression. However, college-age students who were the targets of peers' aggression, specifically relationally victimized teens, reported significant levels of depression. It was also hypothesized that gender differences would exist for overt and relational aggression and victimization on eating disordered symptoms. Results revealed that exposure to relational victimization was a significant positive predictor of eating disorder symptoms for females, but not for males. Implications of these findings can be utilized by multiple disciplines, including mental health professionals, school and university administrators and professionals.

Subject Area

Clinical psychology

Recommended Citation

Fridman, Stacey, "Aggression and victimization: Risk for development of depression and eating disorders" (2006). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI3240525.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI3240525

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