Stapinski, Lexine A., Bowes, Lucy, Wolke, Dieter, Pearson, Rebecca M., Mahedy, Liam, Button, Katherine S., Lewis, Glyn and Araya, Ricardo (2014) Peer victimization during adolescence and risk for anxiety disorders in adulthood : a prospective cohort study. Depression and Anxiety, Volume 31 (Number 7). pp. 574-582. doi:10.1002/da.22270 ISSN 1091-4269.

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Abstract

Background
Peer victimization is ubiquitous across schools and cultures, and has been suggested as one developmental pathway to anxiety disorders. However, there is a dearth of prospective studies examining this relationship. The purpose of this cohort study was to examine the association between peer victimization during adolescence and subsequent anxiety diagnoses in adulthood. A secondary aim was to investigate whether victimization increases risk for severe anxiety presentations involving diagnostic comorbidity.

Methods
The sample comprised 6,208 adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children who were interviewed about experiences of peer victimization at age 13. Maternal report of her child's victimization was also assessed. Anxiety disorders at age 18 were assessed with the Clinical Interview Schedule–Revised. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between victimization and anxiety diagnoses adjusted for potentially confounding individual and family factors. Sensitivity analyses explored whether the association was independent of diagnostic comorbidity with depression.

Results
Frequently victimized adolescents were two to three times more likely to develop an anxiety disorder than nonvictimized adolescents (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.62–3.85). The association remained after adjustment for potentially confounding individual and family factors, and was not attributable to diagnostic overlap with depression. Frequently victimized adolescents were also more likely to develop multiple internalizing diagnoses in adulthood.

Conclusions
Victimized adolescents are at increased risk of anxiety disorders in later life. Interventions to reduce peer victimization and provide support for victims may be an effective strategy for reducing the burden associated with these disorders.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Bullying, Anxiety disorders
Journal or Publication Title:	Depression and Anxiety
Publisher:	John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ISSN:	1091-4269
Official Date:	July 2014
Dates:	Date Event July 2014 Published 30 April 2014 Available 8 March 2014 Accepted 28 October 2013 Submitted
Volume:	Volume 31
Number:	Number 7
Page Range:	pp. 574-582
DOI:	10.1002/da.22270
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	28 December 2015
Date of first compliant Open Access:	28 December 2015
Funder:	Wellcome Trust (London, England)
Grant number:	092731 (WT), 084268 (WT)

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