Peer Victimization (Externalizing Behaviors) and Psychological Adjustment among Adolescents

Moderating Role of Non-Confrontation and Solution-Oriented Conflict Management Strategies

Abstract

Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and adulthood. In this period children are going through many changes including physical and psychological. Peer victimization is likely to develop psychological adjustment difficulties. The study's main objective is to explore the moderating role of conflict management strategies in peer victimization and psychological adjustment among adolescents. The sample was selected through a non-probability convenient sampling technique The sample comprised 500 adolescents from different educational institutions with an age range from 10-19 years. A cross-sectional design was used to study the relationship between the variables. The data was collected with the help of self-reported measures i.e., the Multidimensional Peer Victimization scale by Joseph and Stockton (2018), Resolving Conflicts in Relationship (RCR) by Thayer (2008), Youth Externalizing Behavior Screener (YEBS) by Aslam (2018). The results of the study show a significant association between study variables. Conflict resolution strategies emerge as a significant moderator between peer victimization and psychological adjustment. The findings of the study suggest that solution-oriented conflict management strategies tend to be a protective factor for victimized adolescents and non-confrontation conflict management strategies are helpful for adolescents' psychological adjustment.