Stigma Moderates the Relation Between Peer Victimization, Thwarted Belongingness, and Depressive Symptoms in Youth with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The stigmatizing nature of IBD symptoms may place youth at risk for being targets of peer victimization, potentially resulting in a decreased sense of social belongingness and poorer emotional adjustment. The present study tested a series of mediation and moderated mediation models examining the associations among peer victimization, thwarted social belongingness, and depressive symptoms, as well as the moderating role of IBD stigma in these associations. We hypothesized peer victimization would have an indirect effect on youth depressive symptoms through thwarted belongingness, and this effect would be amplified for youth endorsing greater IBD stigma. Seventy-five youth (10–18 yrs.) diagnosed with IBD were recruited from a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Participants completed self-report measures of IBD stigma, peer victimization, thwarted belongingness, and depressive symptoms. As anticipated, mediation analyses revealed a significant peer victimization → thwarted belongingness → depressive symptoms indirect path. Moderated mediation analyses indicated that this indirect effect was moderated by IBD stigma and was significantly greater among youth reporting higher IBD stigma. Youth who experience higher levels of IBD-related stigma are at increased risk for depressive symptoms as a function of the socially isolating effects of peer victimization. Our findings highlight the need for routine screening and identification of the socioemotional challenges faced by youth with IBD. Clinical interventions that incorporate coping strategies aimed at minimizing youths' stigmatizing self-perceptions and improving overall social skills and social engagement may lessen the negative impact of peer victimization on youths' social and emotional adjustment. •Youth with IBD may experience greater risk for peer victimization.•Peer victimization may increase social detachment and depressive symptoms.•IBD stigma moderates the relation of peer victimization to depressive symptoms.•Routine screening of peer victimization and stigma may increase early identification.•Interventions targeting stigma and social engagement may preclude depression.