1. Dr. ZAFAR AHMAD - Assistant Professor-Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages.
2. NAUREEN MUNIR - Lecturer-Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages.
3. KASHMALA ZAMAN - Lecturer-Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages.
4. MUHAMMAD ISMAIL - National University of Modern Languages.
5. SAYED SHAHBAL - Department of Applied Psychology, National University of Modern Languages.
The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of conflict management strategies in adolescent peer victimization and psychological adjustment (internalizing behaviors). Adolescence is a critical developmental stage, and peer victimization during this period can have long-lasting negative effects on psychological well-being. A sample of 500 adolescents from different educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with an age range of 10-19 years, was collected through a convenient sampling technique. The data was collected using self-reported measures, such as the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale Relationships by Joseph and Stockton (2018), Resolving Conflicts in Relationships (RCR) by Thayer (2008), and the Youth Internalizing Behavior Screener (YIBS) by Aslam (2020). The results of the study showed significant associations between the study variables. Peer victimization was positively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, male adolescents scored higher on physical and verbal victimization than female adolescents. This finding highlights the need for gender-specific interventions to address peer victimization among adolescents. Importantly, the study found that conflict resolution strategies played a significant moderating role between peer victimization and psychological adjustment, with solution-oriented strategies serving as a protective factor, while non-confrontational strategies have a negative impact. This means that adolescents who tend to use solution-oriented strategies, as opposed to non-confrontational strategies, resolve conflicts in their relationships are less likely to experience negative psychological adjustments, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety; as a result of peer victimization.
Peer Victimization, Conflict Management Strategies, Internalizing Behaviors, Adolescents.