Effects of Peer Victimization on Behavior Problems of Children: Moderated Mediation of Rejection Sensitivity and Emotion Regulation
AUTHOR : 최정원, 임정하
INFORMATION : page. 189~203 / 2025 Vol.32 No.4
ABSTRACT
This study examines the mediating effect of peer rejection sensitivity and the moderating effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between peer victimization and behavior problems of children. A total of 143 fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Seoul and Gyeonggi completed self-report questionnaires. Using PROCESS Macro Models 4 and 14, both mediation and moderated mediation models were tested. Results indicated that peer victimization indirectly influenced children’s behavior problems through peer rejection sensitivity. Moreover, the indirect effect of peer victimization on behavior problems through peer rejection sensitivity was attenuated for children with higher levels of emotion regulation. Based on the rejection sensitivity model, this study extends prior work by identifying peer rejection sensitivity as a mechanism linking peer victimization to behavior problems in the peer context, while also highlighting emotion regulation as a protective factor that can buffer against the negative influence of peer rejection sensitivity. These findings offer valuable implications for preventive and intervention strategies in educational and counseling settings.