Identity‐based bullying and mental health among Black and Latino youth: The moderating role of emotional suppression

Abstract

AbstractThe current study examined the prevalence of identity‐based bullying, the unique links between identity‐based bullying and mental health (i.e., depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS]), and emotional suppression as a potential moderator of these links. Participants were 899 clinic‐referred Black and Latino youth aged 7–18 years (M = 13.37 years, SD = 2.75, 60.8% female). Regression analyses indicated youth who experienced identity‐based bullying victimization reported worse depressive symptoms and PTSS, controlling for co‐occurring trauma exposure and demographic characteristics. We did not find evidence that emotional suppression moderated these associations. The findings highlight the potentially traumatic nature of identity‐based bullying victimization in treatment‐seeking Black and Latino youth and speak to the need for identity‐based bullying risk screening.