Author: Chen Xu
Xu, Chen, 2025 Bullying victimisation, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth among adolescents in Southwest China, Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
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This study investigated the prevalence of peer aggression and school bullying in Southwest China, examining the relationships between bullying victimisation, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Specifically, the mediating roles of resilience and rumination in these dynamics were explored. The research aimed to elucidate the status of peer aggression and school bullying in the region and provide theoretical and practical guidance for prevention and intervention strategies.
The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 2,355 adolescents were surveyed to assess general aggression and bullying, during which the Chinese version of the School Aggression and Victimisation Questionnaire (SAVQ) was revised and validated. Results showed that approximately 40% of participants experienced peer aggression in the past three months, though fewer than 10% met the criteria for bullying victimisation. Among perpetrators, fewer than 40% exhibited general aggression, with only 2.25% meeting the criteria for bullying perpetrators. Victimisation rates exceeded the national average, particularly among males and adolescents from joint or single-parent families. Minority students were identified as more likely to engage in perpetration. PTSD rates were higher among victims from joint or single-parent families, while rural and low-income students showed greater PTG. Although victimisation decreased with grade levels, no consistent trends were observed for perpetration or PTSD across demographics. These findings underscore the interplay between demographic factors and the psychological consequences of bullying, offering guidance for targeted interventions.
The study also found that PTSD severity increased with higher levels of aggression, with bullying victims reporting the most pronounced symptoms. Intrusive and deliberate rumination were also positively associated with aggression severity, reflecting greater negative emotional processing among victims. Nevertheless, all groups displayed some degree of PTG and adaptability following trauma. Resilience scores declined with increasing aggression severity, indicating diminished coping capacity.
In the second phase, 228 students identified as bullying victims during screening were selected for further analysis. Results showed positive correlations between bullying victimisation and PTSD, intrusive rumination, and deliberate rumination. PTSD was strongly linked to both forms of rumination and positively correlated with PTG. PTG demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with deliberate rumination and resilience, and intrusive rumination was significantly correlated with deliberate rumination.
Structural equation modelling revealed that bullying victimisation, mediated by intrusive rumination, was associated with PTSD. Furthermore, bullying victimisation mediated by resilience was linked to PTG. A chain mediation effect was also identified, where bullying victimisation influenced PTG through both intrusive and deliberate rumination.
These findings provide critical insights into the psychological impact of bullying on adolescents, emphasising the importance of addressing rumination in intervention efforts. Such approaches are essential for reducing the negative effects of bullying and promoting positive psychological outcomes.
Keywords: Bullying victimisation, Deliberate rumination, Intrusive rumination, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Post-traumatic growth, Resilience, Southwest China
Subject: Psychology thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2025
School: College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Supervisor: Grace Skrzypiec