The Mediating Roles of External Shame and Self-Compassion in the Relationship between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

The main purpose of the present study was to examine the mediating role of external shame and self-compassion in the relationship between peer victimization and depressive Symptoms in middle school Adolescents (grades 7-9). Method This was a descriptive-correlation study, and the statistical sample were 300 (150 girls and 150 boys) students of Shahinshahr (Isfahan) middle schools, selected with multi-stage cluster sampling procedures. The measuring tools were Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale, The Other As Shamer Scale, Self-Compassionate Scale-Short Form, Mood and Feeling Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19 and AMOS 20. Results There were significant relationship among peer victimization, external shame, self-compassion and depressive symptoms. The evaluation of hypothetical model with fit indexes demonstrated that the hypothetical model has a good fitness (RMSEA=0.037, NFI=0.997, CFI=0.999). Path Analysis also indicated peer victimization has indirect effect on depressive symptoms by external shame and self-compassion. Conclusion Thus, based on the current research findings, external shame and self-compassion have mediating roles in the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Considering these mechanisms can be helpful in designing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for adolescents to cope with peer victimization and symptoms of depression.