Andrews, JacPurcell, Victoria2017-09-082017-09-0820172017http://hdl.handle.net/11023/4085Internalizing challenges, such as anxiety, have been found to be a one of the many adverse outcomes associated with peer victimization in middle childhood. The current study extends the literature by examining the relationship among and between peer victimization, social cognitive variables (i.e., peer perceptions and social self-efficacy), and anxiety among school aged children and youth aged 12 to 15. Specifically, this study assessed the predictive nature of peer victimization on anxiety symptoms and looked at whether peer perceptions and social self-efficacy were mediators and moderators of this relationship respectively. Participants included 81 school aged children (female: 52, male: 29; M age: 12.78). Results showed that reports of peer victimization predicted the severity of anxious symptoms, and children’s beliefs about their school peers influenced this relationship. Further, there were overall differences between different types of victimization (overt, relational, and reputational) and anxiety symptoms in youth. These results further demonstrate the importance of addressing peer victimization within Canadian schools and this should be considered in the treatment of anxiety among youth.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Educational PsychologyAnxietyPeer VictmizationPeer perceptionsSocial self-efficacySocial-cognitive variablesSchool-aged childrenmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28293