Offline und online Peer-Viktimisierung und der Zusammenhang mit emotionalen Problemen : Die vermittelnde Rolle der Emotionsregulation und kognitiven Bewertung

Abstract

Zusammenfassung. Sowohl online als auch offline Peer-Viktimisierung (PV) in ihrer direkten und indirekten Form stehen als Stressoren in einem Zusammenhang mit emotionalen Problemen bei Jugendlichen. Welche Faktoren diesen Zusammenhang vermitteln, ist noch nicht ausreichend geklärt. Die vorliegende Studie beschäftigt sich auf Grundlage von Stress-‍, Coping- und kognitiven Theorien mit maladaptiver Emotionsregulation und kognitiver Bewertung als potenziell vermittelnde Faktoren. Dazu wurden die Daten von 755 Schüler_innen im Alter von 10 bis 20 Jahren analysiert. Knapp zwei Drittel der befragten Jugendlichen hat im letzten halben Jahr PV erlebt. Dabei geht im Gegensatz zu den anderen Viktimisierungsformen indirekte offline PV mit häufiger maladaptiver Emotionsregulation einher. Diese wiederum steht im Zusammenhang mit der kognitiven Bewertung von PV als Belastungsfaktor und mündet schlussendlich in schwereren emotionalen Problemen. Konsequenzen aus diesen Ergebnissen und Therapieoptionen werden diskutiert.

The Link Between Offline and Online Peer Victimization and Emotional Problems: The Mediation Role of Emotion Regulation and Cognitive Appraisal

Abstract. Online and offline peer victimization (PV) are stressors associated with emotional problems in adolescents. The mechanism that links PV to emotional problems has not yet been investigated sufficiently. Stress, coping, and cognitive theories provide potential explanatory models. The aim of the present study was not only to investigate the association between direct and indirect offline and online PV and emotional problems, but also to analyze maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and cognitive appraisal as mediating factors in the association of PV and emotional problems. For this propose, data from 755 Austrian students (42.9 % female) were collected in five different types of schools. The participants’ age ranged from 10 to 20 years with a mean of 15.04 years ( SD = 1.96). Instruments used in the current study included the Multidimensional Offline and Online Peer Victimization Scale (MOOPV), the Questionnaire to Assess Emotion Regulation in Children and Youths (FEEL-KJ), and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). At least 63.4 % of the adolescents experienced some type of PV in the past 6 months. Direct types, such as beatings or threats, were more prevalent than indirect types of PV, such as social exclusion, offline as well as online. Correlation analyses demonstrate an association between all types of PV and emotional problems ( r = .16–.30, p < .001), except of direct offline victimization ( r = .05, p = .167). Moreover, for all forms of PV there was a significant correlation with the cognitive assessment of the events ( r = .18–.50, p < .001). Direct online PV ( r = .10, p < .001), indirect online PV ( r = .23, p < .001), and indirect offline PV ( r = .28, p < .001) correlated significantly with maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, a serial mediation according to Hayes was calculated for each form of PV, with the three other forms being considered as covariates. Age, gender identity, type of school, and the type of survey (paper–pencil or online) were controlled for based on correlations with the variables. The results of mediation analysis suggest that the relationship between indirect offline PV and emotional problems is mediated by maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and cognitive appraisal (β = .01, SE = .00, 95 % CI [.01, .02]; R ² = 38 %). This means that an increase in indirect offline PV is associated with an increase in maladaptive emotion regulation. This is associated with a cognitive appraisal of victimization as more stressful and is correlated with results regarding severe emotional problems. For direct offline, indirect online, and direct online PV this serial mediation cannot be confirmed. However, the cross-sectional design of the study should be taken into account when interpreting the results. Nonetheless, these findings support the usefulness of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy for adolescents with emotional problems after PV, aiming at teaching them adaptive emotion regulation strategies and how to deal with stress.