Aggression and peer victimization as predictors of self-reported behavioral and emotional adjustment

The relative contributions of aggression and victimization to the prediction of self-reported emotional and behavioral difficulties over and above self-reported prior problems were investigated in a 1-year longitudinal study. Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders (N = 171) completed peer nominations of aggression and victimization as well as self-report measures of social, behavioral, and emotional problems at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Peer aggression added to the prediction of externalizing problems, specifically, self-report of aggression and delinquency. In contrast, victimization by peers contributed to self-reported unpopularity but not depression. Victimization among girls was also predictive of subsequent self-reported delinquency. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings, as well as future directions for research, are discussed. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.