Cognitive Emotion Regulation as a Mediator between Bullying Victimization and Psychopathological Symptoms: Evidence from a Pakistani Adolescent Sample

https://doi.org/10.55966/assaj.2025.4.1.094

Abstract

Adolescence is widely recognized as a pivotal phase in human development and a crucial period for laying the foundation of optimal mental health (Smith et al., 2018). Bully victimization during adolescence is linked with a wide range of psychopathological symptoms (Akter & Khatun, 2020). The current study investigated the link between experiences of bullying and the development of psychological symptoms in adolescents, with a focus on how cognitive emotion regulation may mediate this relationship. It is a cross-sectional study using data from five public and private sector schools in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 340 adolescents aged 11 to 17 years. Revised Olweus Bullying/Victim Questionnaire, DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Child, and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) were used to evaluate bullying victimization, psychopathological symptoms, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation in adolescents. The results revealed a significant positive association between bullying victimization and psychological symptoms in adolescents; however, maladaptive CER was found to be partially mediate this relationship. Bully victimization is a serious environmental risk factor and has a detrimental impact on the mental health of adolescents. Forthcoming research should explore the long-term effects of bullying victimization on the mental health of adolescents. Interventions such as educational programmes should be started in schools to teach students the use of adaptive coping skills and constructive relationships with peers.

Keywords: Bully victimization, mental health, adolescent, cognitive emotion regulation