Can Friendships Protect Against the Health Consequences of Peer Victimization in Adolescence? A Systematic Review
Although bullied adolescents experience elevated risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes, some youth exhibit resilience in the face of peer victimization. Given the developmental importance of peer relationships during adolescence, much of the research examining protective factors that can mitigate bullying-related harm has focused on the role of friendships. The goals of the current systematic review were to (a) synthesize the evidence for the protective effect of friendships (quantity and quality) on the mental and physical health of peer victimized adolescents and (b) provide corresponding recommendations for school-based health practitioners to facilitate appropriate supports among socially vulnerable youth in educational settings.
Full citation: Schacter HL, Lessard LM, Kiperman S, Bakth F, Ehrhardt A, Uganski J. Can Friendships Protect Against the Health Consequences of Peer Victimization in Adolescence? A Systematic Review. School Mental Health. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-021-09417-x