Mediating role of demoralization between Peer victimization and academic achievement among adolescents

Abstract

The present study explored the relationship between peer victimization, demoralization and academic achievement among adolescents. The mediating role of demoralization in relationship between peer victimization and academic achievement was also examined. FUlthennore, the role of various demographic vaIiables in relation to study vaIiables was also explored. The sample was approached using convenience sampling technique, it consisted of 335 students, age range was 14-19 years eM = 15.96, SD = 1.75). Data was collected t1rrough Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000), Demoralization Scale-II (Kissane, 2016), and academic percentages of past three years. Results showed significant positive correlation between peer victimization and demoralization. A significant negative correlation of peer victimization and demoralization was found with academic achievement. Moreover, nonsignificant mediating role of demoralization was found for peer victimization and academic achievement relationship. Boys seem to be more peer victimized as compaI'ed to girls, age was found to be significantly negatively related with peer victimization. Parental education was significantly positively correlated to academic achievement. TIns study is not only valuable for parents and teachers in tenns of providing stimulating environment for the children but may prove helpful to mental health and educational psychologists by specially focusing tendencies of hopelessness and helplessness among adolescents that may tum out to demoralize the individual and thus impairs functioning not only in personal domain but also on academic domain.