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Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study examines the role that perceived control, a construct that describes an individual's perceived ability to produce an intended outcome, plays in the detrimental cycle of low child self-worth predicting high levels of peer victimization experiences. Children in third through fifth grade completed a web-based survey at three time points, providing self-reports of their self-worth, perceived control, and experiences with peer victimization in their classroom setting. Results showed that a child's amount of perceived control in social situations partially mediated the relationship between self-worth and peer victimization. As children develop a poor sense of self-worth, the helplessness that they experience through their perceivedloss of control further enhances the ease at which they become victimized. These results posit probable implications in school and behavioral interventions for peer victimization prevention, suggesting that children could benefit from programs targeting an increase in perceived control.

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