Bullying victimization and internalizing and externalizing problems in school-aged children: The mediating role of sleep disturbance and the moderating role of parental attachment. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Wanjie; Chen, Mingxia; Wang, Ning; Deng, Renyu; Tang, Huai; Xu, Wenjian; Xu, Jiuping
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 138(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Bullying victimization -- School-aged children -- Internalizing and externalizing problems -- Parental attachment -- Sleep disturbance; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Studies have shown that bullying victimization may be related to internalizing and externalizing problems; however, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unknown. This study explored the mediating role of sleep disturbance and the moderating role of parental attachment. Methods: A total of 1543 Chinese primary school students (M age = 8.92 years, SD1.7 years; range, 6–12) completed bullying victimization, sleep disturbance, and parental attachment measures, and provided information on their parents' occupations. The parents or guardians (n = 1995) also completed ratings on their children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Results: It was found that bullying victimization directly affected internalizing and externalizing problems and also influenced sleep disturbance. Regardless of the parent's socioeconomic status, parental attachment was found to moderate the relationship between bullying victimization and internalizing problems. Conclusions: These findings contribute to understanding the partial mediating mechanism of sleep disturbance in the association between bullying victimization and internalizing and externalizing problems. The protective role of parental attachment proved central to preventing internalizing problems in bullied children. Intervention programs that enhance parental attachment and improve sleep quality could assist in mitigating the impact of bullying victimization on internalizing or externalizing problems. Highlights: Being bullied causes psychological and behavioral problems. Sleep is a mediator for bullying and psychological/behavioral problems. Parental attachment moderated the bullied path for psychological problems. Improved sleep quality and attachment may alleviate effects on bullied children.