The Interactive Effects of Puberty and Peer Victimization on Weight Concerns and Depression Symptoms Among Early Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the authors examined associations between pubertal status, peer victimization, and their interaction in relation to weight concerns and symptoms of depression in a sample of early adolescent girls ( N = 261). Multivariate analyses revealed a significant interaction between pubertal status and relational victimization in relation to both weight concerns and depression symptoms. More physically mature girls reported the greatest weight concerns and depression symptoms when experiencing high rates of relational victimization in comparison to their less physically mature peers who reported the same rates of relational victimization. This study considers the importance of interactive effects of peer victimization and pubertal status during the early adolescent period.