THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF SOCIAL PROBLEM-SOLVING IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK FACTORS AND PEER VICTIMIZATION IN COLOMBIAN EARLY ADOLESCENTS/ EFECTOS MODERADORES DE LA HABILIDAD DE SOLUCIÓN DE PROBLEMAS SOCIALES EN LA RELACIÓN ENTRE FACTORES DE RIESGO Y VICTIMIZACIÓN EN ADOLESCENTES COLOMBIANOS/ EFEITOS MODERADORES DA HABILIDADE DE SOLUÇÃO DE PROBLEMAS SOCIAIS NA RELAÇÃO ENTRE FATORES DE RISCO E VITIMIZAÇÃO EM ADOLESCENTES COLOMBIANOS

Abstract

This study assessed the moderating effect of social problem-solving (SPS) in the association between risk factors and peer victimization in a sample of Colombian adolescents. Using structural equation modeling techniques, this study assessed the extent to which changes in victimization varied as a function of the interaction between risk factors and social problem-solving. Results showed that both aggression and avoidance were predictive of initial scores on victimization, but only avoidance was found to predict its change over time. Only a main effect of SPS was found at the beginning of the year; no moderating effects were found. Results are consistent with previous findings by confirming that avoidance and aggression are risk factors for peer victimization.

Keywords

• victimization
• social problem-solving
• latent growth curve
• buffering effects
• early adolescence
• Colombia
• victimización
• solución de problemas sociales
• efecto amortiguador
• curva de crecimiento latente
• adolescentes
• vitimização
• solução de problemas sociais
• efeito amortecedor
• curva de crescimento latente
• adolescentes