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The relationship between self‐perception of physical attractiveness and sexual bullying in early adolescence
Author(s) -
Cunningham Nancy J.,
Taylor Matthew,
Whitten Michael E.,
Hardesty Patrick H.,
Eder Katheryn,
DeLaney Nancy
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/ab.20354
Subject(s) - harassment , psychology , physical attractiveness , developmental psychology , attractiveness , perception , poison control , sexual attraction , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , psychological intervention , suicide prevention , social psychology , clinical psychology , sexual behavior , medicine , medical emergency , neuroscience , psychiatry , psychoanalysis
The relationship between self‐perception of physical attractiveness and four measures of sexual bullying behavior (victimization, perpetration, having friends who sexually bully, and observation of sexual bullying among peers at school) was examined in a sample of 396 middle school age students. Students who perceived themselves to be more physically attractive than their peers reported sexually bullying others more, being sexually bullied by others more, observing more sexual bullying, and having more friends who sexually bully others than did students who perceived themselves as average looking. In addition, males who perceived themselves to be less physically attractive than their peers reported being victimized more and reported observing more sexual bullying in the school environment. These findings highlight the importance of physical attractiveness in the early initiation of sexual harassment. Implications for future research and interventions with early adolescents are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 36:271–281, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.