A binary gender analysis to bullying, dating violence, and attempted suicide: The disproportionate effect of depression and psychological harm

This study explored the link between four types of peer victimization (i.e., school bullying, cyber bullying, physical dating violence, and sexual dating violence) and suicide attempts using a nationally representative survey of high school students (N = 11,341). More specifically, this study examined gender differences in direct and indirect associations between different types of peer victimization, depression, and attempted suicide in a comprehensive path model. Results demonstrated that the effect size of “victim of school bullying” on suicide attempts among female students was greater than it was among male students, but the effect size of “victim of sexual dating violence” on suicide attempts among male students was greater than among female students. In addition, depression partially mediated the relationship between each type of peer victimization and suicide attempts for female students and male students. The indirect effects of “victim of school bullying” and “victim of sexual dating violence” on suicide attempts through the mediation of depression were greater among female students than they were among male students. •Being a victim of physical dating violence had the strongest direct effect on attempted suicide•Depression significantly mediated the association between all types of peer victimization and attempted suicide•Gender differences in the impact of peer victimization on attempted suicide