Mediator and Moderator Role of Loneliness in the Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms

The goal of this study was to examine the mediator and moderator roles of loneliness in the relationship between peer victimisation and depressive symptoms. The participants of the study were 144 adolescents (66 girls, 78 boys) ranging in age from 11 to 15 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relations of peer victimisation to depressive symptoms through the mediating role of loneliness, as well as examining the joint and independent effects of loneliness and victimisation on depressive symptoms. The results of the analysis indicated that loneliness fully mediates the relationship between victimisation and depressive symptoms but loneliness and victimisation independently contribute to depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in light of the related literature.