Marjorie G. McGee, Ph.D.
DOI: www.disabilityandhealthjnl.com/article/S1936-6574(14)00149-6/abstract
Background
Youth with disabilities experience greater levels of peer victimization and psychosocial distress than non-disabled youth. However, the extent to which exposure to peer victimization mediates the relationship between disability status and psychosocial distress is unknown.
Objective
To determine whether the relationship between disability status and psychological distress was mediated by exposure to peer victimization, and if so, whether the mediation effects of peer victimization on psychosocial distress was moderated by sex.
Methods
This cross-sectional study involved a series of regressions to test for mediation and moderated mediation using complex survey data from 6664 Oregon 11th graders.
Results
Peer victimization partially mediated the relationship between disability status and psychosocial distress. Sex, however, did not significantly moderate the mediating effects of peer victimization on psychosocial distress.
Conclusion
Exposure to peer victimization mediated the relationship between disability status and psychosocial distress; there was little support for sex as a moderator.