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The Association between Externalizing and Internalizing Problems with Bullying Engagement in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Social Skills

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  • Mariana Lopes de Sousa

    (Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento (Psychology for Positive Development Research Center), Lusíada University, 4100-348 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria Manuela Peixoto

    (Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento (Psychology for Positive Development Research Center), Lusíada University, 4100-348 Porto, Portugal)

  • Sara Figueiredo Cruz

    (Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento (Psychology for Positive Development Research Center), Lusíada University, 4100-348 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Bullying has severe public health consequences, due to its high prevalence worldwide and devastating effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, it is relevant to further understand the factors that contribute to the emergence and maintenance of bullying. This study aimed to examine the differential mediating role of social skills in the relationship between (i) externalizing problems and engagement in aggressive bullying behaviors, and (ii) internalizing problems and the engagement in victimization bullying behaviors. Participants were 669 Portuguese adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years. The Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales and the Scale of Interpersonal Behavior at School were used to assess social skills and the engagement in bullying behaviors, respectively. Boys scored higher on aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems. Girls reported higher scores on internalizing problems, communication, cooperation and empathy. Social skills differently mediated the association between behavior problems and engagement in bullying. While empathy negatively mediated the association between externalizing problems and aggressive bullying behaviors, assertiveness negatively mediated the relationship between internalizing problems and victimization bullying behaviors. The risk factors for engaging in bullying are discussed, and so are the protective ones, which may help to prevent bullying behaviors and reduce their negative impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Lopes de Sousa & Maria Manuela Peixoto & Sara Figueiredo Cruz, 2021. "The Association between Externalizing and Internalizing Problems with Bullying Engagement in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Social Skills," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10444-:d:649875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Lidia Mascia & Mirian Agus & Maria Assunta Zanetti & Maria Luisa Pedditzi & Dolores Rollo & Mirko Lasio & Maria Pietronilla Penna, 2021. "Moral Disengagement, Empathy, and Cybervictim’s Representation as Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying among Italian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Cho, Sujung & Lee, Jeoung Min, 2018. "Explaining physical, verbal, and social bullying among bullies, victims of bullying, and bully-victims: Assessing the integrated approach between social control and lifestyles-routine activities theor," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 372-382.
    3. Rupp, Shannon & Elliott, Stephen N. & Gresham, Frank M., 2018. "Assessing elementary students' bullying and related social behaviors: Cross-informant consistency across school and home environments," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 458-466.
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    1. Anna Babicka-Wirkus & Paweł Kozłowski & Łukasz Wirkus & Krzysztof Stasiak, 2023. "Internalizing and Externalizing Disorder Levels among Adolescents: Data from Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Maren Prignitz & Tobias Banaschewski & Arun L. W. Bokde & Sylvane Desrivières & Antoine Grigis & Hugh Garavan & Penny Gowland & Andreas Heinz & Jean-Luc Martinot & Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot & Eric, 2023. "The Role of Empathy in Alcohol Use of Bullying Perpetrators and Victims: Lower Personal Empathic Distress Makes Male Perpetrators of Bullying More Vulnerable to Alcohol Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Murat Yıldırım & Hacer Yıldırım-Kurtuluş & Hasan Batmaz & Emin Kurtuluş, 2023. "School Belongingness and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Adolescents: Exploring the Influence of Meaningful School," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(5), pages 2125-2140, October.
    4. Matteo Angelo Fabris & Claudio Longobardi & Rosalba Morese & Davide Marengo, 2022. "Exploring Multivariate Profiles of Psychological Distress and Empathy in Early Adolescent Victims, Bullies, and Bystanders Involved in Cyberbullying Episodes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-14, August.

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