Those who were calm when 17 months old are unlikely to experience negative peer experience, like being victimised in pre-school days
NEW DELHI: Children who are aggressive in infancy and are from families with harsh parenting styles and insufficient income are more likely to be victimised by their peers, says a report published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, part of the Journal of American Medical Association.
Because of the above factors, one in 10 youth is the direct target of physical attacks, hostile words and social aggression from peers in later school years, the study claimed.
It suggested that early preventive interventions should target both child and parent-level risks and focus on alternatives to harsh and aggressive interactions between them.
“The consequences associated with high and chronic victimisation are manifold and include depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, physical health problems, social withdrawal, alcohol and/or drug use, school absence and avoidance, decrease in school performance, self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours,” the authors wrote.
Dr Samir Parikh, consultant psychiatrist in Delhi’s Max Healthcare, agreed with the study. “It is a proven fact that children from difficult background like broken homes, harsh parents have personality problems, are low in self-esteem, tend to be isolated and are unable to stand for themselves. The aggressive children become frequent fighters and no one likes to be with them. Such children are unable to approach the social world properly and are vulnerable. Besides, there are peer dynamics. This study reinforces the strong factor of proper upbringing of a child,” said Dr Parikh.
Dr Edward D Barker of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and his colleagues studied 1,970 children (51% boys) born in Québec (Montreal). These children were assessed at various ages starting from 4.5 months to 7.2 years.
At each point, mothers provided information on factors such as victimisation, family adversity, parenting styles, physical aggression, hyperactivity and internalising symptoms. At age 7.2 years, teachers and children reported on victimisation by classmates. Victimisation also included verbal bullying by teachers and within the community, particularly within low socio-economic contexts.
“The overall age-related increase in pre-school peer victimisation is consistent with the view that, as pre-school children progressively spend more time interacting with peers, they are more likely to experience negative peer experiences,” the authors said.
Children who were aggressive at a young age (17 months) were more likely to become victims in pre-school than children who were less aggressive, but neither early internalising symptoms (for example, sadness, fear and anxiety) or hyperactivity were associated with later victimisation. Children exposed to harsh parenting were more likely to be chronic victims, and insufficient family income also predicted high victimisation.
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