Subtypes, severity, and structural stability of peer victimization: what does latent class analysis say?

Child Dev. 2007 Nov-Dec;78(6):1706-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01097.x.

Abstract

This study uses latent class analysis (LCA) to empirically identify victimization groups during middle school. Approximately 2,000 urban, public middle school students (mean age in sixth grade = 11.57) reported on their peer victimization during the Fall and Spring semesters of their sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Independent LCA analyses at each semester yielded 3 victim classes based on victimization degree rather than type (e.g., physical vs. relational). The most victimized class always represented the smallest proportion of the sample, decreasing from 20% in sixth grade to 6% by the end of eighth grade. This victimized class also always reported feeling less safe at school concurrently and more depressed than others 1 semester later, illustrating the validity of the LCA approach.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Peer Group*
  • Personality Inventory
  • Rejection, Psychology
  • Safety