Predictors of psychological maladjustment: peer victimisation, sibling victimisation & coping self-efficacy

Bullying is a significant problem that has a detrimental impact on children’s psychological adjustment. Not all victims of bullying, however, suffer adverse consequences and nor do they suffer the same adverse consequences. Why does bullying harm some children more than others? To investigate this differential impact of bullying, this study examines how experiencing victimisation across multiple contexts (i.e. peer and sibling bullying) and efficacy for using coping strategies may contribute to psychological maladjustment. Two thousand one hundred and sixty two secondary students completed a self-report questionnaire. A scale that measured children’s self-efficacy for using coping strategies was developed, as research shows that coping efficacy promotes recovery from stressful events and enables positive functioning. Results revealed that coping efficacy was related to a reduction in psychological maladjustment. The results also showed that sibling victimisation contributed to psychological adjustment after considering the contribution of peer victimisation. To attenuate the negative effects of victimisation, intervention should consider the impact of sibling victimisation and focus on increasing children’s efficacy for: disengaging from the victim role, avoiding negative construal (self-blame), active coping (e.g. support seeking), and forgivingness/avoiding aggressive behaviours.