Predictors of Peer Victimization among Hispanic Adolescent Girls: Implications for School Social Work

Aggressive behavior aimed at peers in school settings is a persistent problem for students, teachers, parents, and school social workers. Peer victimization is particularly troubling for adolescent girls in light of recent increases in aggression and violence among female adolescents. However, most studies of peer victimization, particularly among adolescent girls, have been limited to white and middle-class samples. Principles from ecological theory and knowledge derived from studies of risk and protection among children and youths are used to examine individual-, peer-, school-, and family-level factors associated with the likelihood of victimization among 150 low-income, urban, Hispanic female eighth-grade students. Self-esteem, the quality of friendships with other girls, and levels of reactive relational aggression are significant predictors of peer victimization. Results suggest that individual-and peer-level factors may be most relevant for explaining peer victimization among low-income, Hispanic adolescent girls. Implications for school social work practice are noted.