Peer violence typology and modality: the associations with the mental health problems in minors

Abstract

Violent behavior among peers affects adolescents’ physical and psychological well-being. This study aims to analyze the influence that peer violence has on mental health. First, we will analyze the psychometric proprieties of two questionnaires on victimization because of violent behaviors, both in-person and online. Participants are 600 Primary Education and Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) students of both genders aged 10 to 17 years. The evaluation instruments used are two scales created by the study’s authors referring to peer violence, both in-person (Peer Violence Questionnaire—Victim Version) and online (Peer Cyberviolence Questionnaire—Victim Version). Likewise, they were given a third instrument–Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, SDQ—Self-Report Version) by Goodman (1997) . On the one hand, the results show an adequate validity and reliability of the two newly created instruments. On the other hand, both externalizing and internalizing problems appear more likely in minors who are the target of behaviors including physical and verbal violence, social exclusion, and threats through new technologies. It is necessary to recognize the types and forms of peer violence. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that victimization, both in person and online, is associated with minors’s mental health, manifesting through externalizing and internalizing problems.