Peer Victimization and Problem Behaviors: The Roles of Self‐Esteem and Parental Attachment Among Chinese Adolescents

Guided by the social‐ecological diathesis–stress model, this longitudinal study examined the roles of self‐esteem, parental attachment, and gender on the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors among Chinese early adolescents. A total of 466 Chinese middle school students ( M age = 12.8 years) completed measures of peer victimization, self‐esteem, and paternal and maternal attachment twice (T1 and T2; 6‐month interval). Their guardians also completed ratings on adolescents' problem behaviors at both T1 and T2. Results indicated that self‐esteem mediated the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors. Paternal attachment, but not maternal attachment, moderated the mediating effect of self‐esteem. Moreover, the moderating effect of maternal attachment on the association between peer victimization and self‐esteem varied depending on adolescents’ gender.