Sibling and peer bullying victimization in adolescence: Masculinity, femininity, and the moderating role of sex and popularity

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionWe investigated whether gender‐typed traits (masculinity and femininity) contemporaneously predicted self‐reported peer victimization, peer‐reported peer victimization, and sibling victimization. We also tested the moderating role of sex and popularity.MethodsA sample of 2782 British pupils aged 11–16 from Central England, UK was screened for bullying involvement and popularity using self‐report and peer nominations, and a subsample of 704 (52.7% girls) completed a measure of gender‐typed traits (masculinity and femininity).ResultsHierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that low levels of masculine traits were associated with greater risk of self‐reported peer victimization, there were no associations with peer‐reported peer victimization, and low levels of feminine traits were associated with greater risk of self‐reported sibling victimization. The effects were not moderated by sex, while popularity decreased the risk of self‐ and peer‐reported peer victimization.ConclusionsBullying prevention interventions could benefit from including the positive facets of feminine and masculine traits.