Peer Victimization and Adverse Psychosocial Wellbeing of Black/White Biracial Adolescents: Is Ease of Talking With Family a Protective Buffer?

Abstract

A limited number of findings from empirical studies show that biracial adolescents are at a heightened risk of peer victimization. Black/White biracial adolescents are frequent targets of peer victimization due to racism and systematic oppression that are inherent in U.S. schools. Similar to adolescents of other racial and ethnic groups, biracial adolescents who are victimized by their peers are likely to exhibit psychosocial and behavioral issues. However, little is known about protective factors that might buffer the link between peer victimization and adverse outcomes of these youth. The study examines whether perceived ease of talking with parents and siblings moderates the association between peer victimization and psychosocial problems among Black/White biracial early adolescents. Data were derived from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. Participants were 158 early adolescents, ages 10–14, who self-reported as both Black and White. Adolescents who perceived their fathers as easy to talk to were less likely to bully others or carry a weapon when victimized by their peers. Adolescents who perceived their mothers to be easy to talk to were less likely to carry a weapon. There were also lower rates of psychosomatic symptoms for youth who reported perceived ease talking with siblings.

Impact Statement

The current study is one of the few empirical studies that examined the association between peer victimization and adverse psychosocial wellbeing as well as protective factors that buffer this association among a sample of Black/White biracial adolescents. Findings from this study contribute to a growing demand for additional research on biracial adolescents and their peer victimization experiences, which provides concrete insights for possible interventions. In this perspective, the study findings can also bring relevance to the development and implementation of antibullying programs that are culturally appropriate for biracial adolescents.

Keywords:

• biracial
• peer victimization
• family
• race
• psychosocial outcomes

Associate Editor:

• Scott Graves

DISCLOSURE

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jun Sung Hong

Jun Sung Hong, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University, United States.

Yueqi Yan

Yueqi Yan, PhD, is the Chief Biostatistician of the Biostatistics and Data Support Center at the University of California at Merced, United States.

Dorothy L. Espelage

Dorothy L. Espelage, PhD, is the William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States.

Karen M. Tabb

Karen M. Tabb, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States.

Simona C. S. Caravita

Simona C. S. Caravita, PhD, is a Professor at the Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioural Research in Education, Faculty of Arts and Education at the University of Stavanger (UiS), Norway.

Dexter R. Voisin

Dexter R. Voisin, PhD, is the Dean and Professor in the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, United States.