The relationship between peer physical and relational victimization and adolescent depressive symptoms: the roles of self-warmth and self-coldness

Depressive symptoms are prevalent emotional disorders among adolescents, posing a threat to their mental health. Drawing from ecological systems theory, peer victimization may exert an influence on adolescent depressive symptoms. However, research exploring the relationship between different forms of peer victimization and adolescent depressive symptoms is limited, with the underlying mechanisms remaining unclear. Therefore, based on self-determination theory, this study aims to examine the positive correlation between peer physical and relational victimization and adolescent depressive symptoms, while also analyzing the mediating roles of self-warmth and self-coldness. A total of 672 participants were recruited for this study, comprising 382 males (56.8%) and 290 females (43.2%), with a mean age of 13.13 years (SD = 0.74). Results revealed significant positive correlations between adolescent depressive symptoms and both peer physical and relational victimization, with relational victimization demonstrating a stronger correlation. Self-warmth and self-coldness serve as mediators in explaining the relationship between relational victimization and adolescent depressive symptoms. This study provides a novel perspective on understanding the relationship between different forms of peer victimization and adolescent depressive symptoms. Interventions targeting adolescent depressive symptoms should consider enhancing levels of self-warmth and reducing levels of self-coldness. Furthermore, issues of peer relational victimization warrant further attention.