Experiences of victimization, maladaptive schemas, and the mediating role of resilience in adolescents.

Résumé

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have established the relationship between peer victimization and maladaptive schemas. Some studies indicate that resilience mediates between victimization and psychological distress, although there is a gap in the literature on the role of resilience in the formation of maladaptive schemas.AIM: This study aimed to analyze the role of resilience as a mediator between peer victimization, cybervictimization, and maladaptive schemas, especially disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy.METHODS: An analytical and cross-sectional study was performed with 2854 students (50.7% girls) aged 11-17 years (Mage = 13.71, SD = 1.34) from 16 schools in six Spanish regions. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and structural equation models (SEM) were performed, and multigroup measurement invariance by sex was confirmed.RESULTS: The results show that resilience in all its dimensions acts as a partial mediator between traditional victimization and maladaptive schemas, particularly in the dimensions of self-efficacy and control under pressure. However, resilience only shows a partial mediation in cybervictimization through the dimension of Spirituality. Moreover, the model is invariant for boys and girls.CONCLUSION: Resilience dimensions partially mediate the victimization-schema association, cybervictimization shows weaker mediation effects, and the model is invariant across sex.