Effects of childhood abuse experiences on peer victimization in adolescence: the mediating role of self-control, aggression, and depression

Childhood abuse experiences are risk factor for peer victimization. However, the process by which childhood abuse experiences influence peer victimization remains less clear. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-control, depression, and aggression in childhood abuse experiences and peer victimization. Using Childhood Abuse Questionnaire, Peer Victimization Questionnaire, Self-Control Questionnaire, and Problematic Behavior Questionnaire, 1521 Chinese adolescents (901 girls, 620 boys, average age = 14.74 ± 1.55) who had experienced abuse in childhood participated in this survey. Structural equation modeling showed that self-control, aggression, and depression were mediators between childhood abuse experiences and peer victimization. Specifically, self-control, aggression, and depression acted as separate mediators. Additionally, there were two other pathways: the chain mediating effect of self-control and aggression, and the chain mediating effect of self-control and depression. This study enriches relevant research in peer victimization and provides a theoretical basis for understanding the impact of childhood abuse experiences on peer victimization.