Longitudinal examination of the associations between emotional dysregulation, coping responses to peer provocation, and victimisation in children

Abstract

This study examined the role of emotional dysregulation and coping responses to peer provocation in predicting peer victimisation. Participants were 255 children aged 11-14 years who were assessed on two occasions at a 3-month interval. Cross-sectionally, gender was found to moderate the relationship between emotional dysregulation and victimisation. Girls who reported high levels of victimisation tended to experience problems in the emotional regulation of anger and greater use of internalising and aggressive coping strategies. Boys who reported high levels of victimisation were more likely to experience emotional dysregulation of sadness and reported greater use of internalising coping responses. Longitudinally, emotional dysregulation of anger, and coping responses to peer provocation that involve aggressive reactions or expressions of emotional distress, increased the risk of future victimisation in both genders. Preventive interventions should include training in emotional regulation and coping skills for children at risk of persistent victimisation.