Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Teasing Experiences, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Self-Schema and Psychological Distress in Youth: an Exploratory Study

  • Research in Progress
  • Published:
Psychological Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study as aimed at exploring peer victimization (teasing) experiences, interpersonal sensitivity, self-schemas and psychological distress in youth. The sample consisted of 231 male and female participants who met specified criteria. Participants completed The Teasing Questionnaire-Revised, Teasing Checklist, Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, General Health Questionnaire- 28 and Self- Schema Questionnaire. In addition, an open ended question was included to obtain data on teasing experiences.

The results showed that the appearance related teasing was reported to be the highest, with more females than males reporting teasing experiences on this domain. Teasing experiences in the domains of performance, social behavior, family and appearance were positively related to psychological distress. Interpersonal sensitivity and self-schema were positively correlated with distress and there was a significant difference between distressed and non-distressed participants on these measures. On IPSM, the need for approval was higher in females whereas fragile inner self was higher in males. Self-efficacy on Self Schema Questionnaire (SSQ), Separation Anxiety (IPSM), Social behavior (TQ) and Teasing Checklist were found to be significant predictors of psychological distress, accounting for 29 % of the variation in psychological distress. Teasing experiences is a significant predisposing factor for psychological distress. Our findings have important clinical implications in understanding early teasing experiences in the development of psychological and emotional disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beck, T. A., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory–II. San Antonio: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, P., & Mason, C. (1996). An overview of depression prone personality traits and the role of interpersonal sensitivity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 30, 90–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, P., & Parker, G. (1989). Development of a scale to measure interpersonal sensitivity. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 30(1), 90–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, P., Parker, G., Barnett, B., Cooney, M., & Smith, F. (1991). Personality as a vulnerability to depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 106–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, P., Hickie, I., Parker, G., & Mitchell, P. (1993). Specificity of interpersonal sensitivity to non-melancholic depression. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 23, 341–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Card, N. A., & Hodges, V. E. (2008). Peer Victimization among schoolchildren: correlations, causes, consequences, and considerations in assessment and intervention. School Psychology Quarterly, 23(4), 451–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F. (1995). Developmental teasing about physical appearance: retrospective descriptions and relationships with body image. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 23(2), 123–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Children on bullying (2008). A report by the Children’s Rights Director for England. Ofsted.

  • Davidson, J., Zisook, S., Giller, E., & Helms, M. (1989). Symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity in depression. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 30(5), 357–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. R., Martin, R. A., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2010). The fear of being laughed at, social anxiety, and memories of being teased during childhood. Psychologicaltestand Assessment modelling, 52,1, 94–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P., Irons, C., Olsen, K., Gilbert, J., & McEwan, K. (2006). Interpersonal sensitivities: their links to mood, anger and gender. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 79(1), 37–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gleason, J. H., Alexander, A. M., & Somers, C. L. (2000). Later adolescents reactions to three types of childhood teasing: relations with self-esteem and body image. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 28(5), 471–479.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, D. P., & Williams, P. (1988). A User’s guide to the General Health Questionnaire. Windsor: NFER-Nelson Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, S. (2006). Peer Victimization in School; Exploring the Ethnic Context. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(6), 317–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hettema, J. M., Neale, M. C., Myers, J. M., Prescott, C. A., & Kendler, K. S. (2006). A population-based twin study of the relationship between neuroticism and internalizing disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163, 857–864.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Juvonen, J., Nishina, A., & Graham, S. (2000). Peer harassment, psychological well-being and school adjustment in early adolescence. Journal of Educational Psychology, 92, 349–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kapanee, A. R. M., & Rao, K. (2007). Attachment Style in Relation to Family Functioning and Distress in College Students. Journalof the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 33(1), 15–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur, L. (2007). Self- Schema in the Indian context-Development of a Tool. Unpublished M.Phil Dissertation Bangalore. In A. Shah & K. Rao (Eds.), Psychological Research in Mental Health & Neurosciences, 1957–2007 (pp. 372–373). Bangalore: NIMHANS (Deemed University).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kshirsagar, V. Y., Agarwal, R., & Bavdekar, S. B. (2007). Bullying in schools: prevalence and short-term impact. Indian Pediatrics, 44, 25–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leary, M. R. (1983). Social anxiousness: The construct and its measurement. Journal of Personality Assessment, 47, 66–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ledley, R. D., Storch, E. A., Coles, M. E., Heimberg, R. G., Moser, J., & Bravata, E. A. (2006). The relationship between childhood teasing and later interpersonal functioning. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 28(1), 33–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luty, S. E., Joyce, P. R., Mulder, R. T., Sullivan, P. F., & McKenzie, J. M. (2002). The interpersonal sensitivity measure in depression: associations with temperament and character. Journal of Affective Disorders, 70(3), 307–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew, M. (2008). Reliability and Clinical Validation of Self Schema Scale. Bangalore: Unpublished M.Phil dissertation NIMHANS (Deemed University).

    Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, R., Blankstein, K., Mills, J., & Mills, J. (1999). Interpersonal sensitivity and social problem-solving: relations with academic and social self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and academic performance. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 23(6), 587–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nansel, T. R., Overpeck, M., Pilla, R. S., Ruan, W. J., Simons-Morton, B., & Scheidt, P. (2001). Bullying behaviors among US youth: prevalence and association with psychosocial adjustment. JAMA, 25, 285, 2094–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narayanan, G., & Rao, K. (2004). Predictors of psychological distress in college students: The role of attachment styles, parental bonding, personality and coping. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 31, 100–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: what we know and what we can do. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Padhy, G. K., Ray, R., & Pani, M. R. (2009). Prevalence and effects of bullying in a private engineering college. Journalof Community Medicine, 5(2).

  • Park, L. E. (2010). Appearance-Based rejection sensitivity predicts Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and cosmetic surgery Acceptance. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 29(5), 489–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plan (2008) Learn without Fear: The global campaign to end violence in schools. Working: Plan

  • Ramya, S. G., & Kulkarni, M. L. (2011). Bullying among school children: prevalence and association with common symptoms in childhood. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 78, 307–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coalition to Uproot Ragging from Education (CURE) Report (2007). Ragging in India; a summary report on incidents, social perceptions and psychological perspectives. Raghavan Committee Report: A brief analysis. – www.noragging.com

  • Riso, L. P., Froman, S. E., Raouf, M., Gable, P., Maddux, R. E., Turini-Santorelli, N., Penna, S., et al. (2006). The Long-Term Stability of Early Maladaptive Schemas. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 30(4), 515–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, D. A., Coles, M. E., & Heimberg, R. G. (2002). The relationship between memories for childhood teasing and anxiety and depression in adulthood. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 16, 149–164.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sakado, K., Sato, T., Uehera, T., Sakado, M., Kuwabara, H., & Someya, T. (1999). The association between the high interpersonal sensitivity type of personality and a lifetime history of depression in a sample of employed Japanese adults. Psychological Medicine, 29, 1243–1248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, P., Rao, K., & Subbakrishna, D. K. (2001). Vulnerability to Depression: A Study of trait and state factors. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2, 194–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sriram, T. G., Chandrashekar, C. R., Isaac, M. K., & Shanmugham, V. (1989). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ): Comparison of the English version and a translated Indian version. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 24(6), 317–320.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sticca, F., Ruggiera, S., Alasker, F., & Perren, S. (2013). Longitudinal risk factors for cyber bullying in adolescence. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 23, 52–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Storch, E. A., Lewin, A. B., Silverstein, J. H., Heidgerken, A. D., Strawser, M. S., Baumeister, A., & Geffken, G. R. (2004a). Social-psychological correlates of peer victimization in children with endocrine disorders. The Journal of Pediatrics, 145(6), 784–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Storch, E. A., Roth, D. A., Coles, M. E., Heimberg, R. G., Bravata, E. A., & Moser, J. (2004b). The measurement and impact of childhood teasing in a sample of young adults. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 18(5), 681–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Storch, E. A., Milsonm, V. A., DeBraganza, N., Lewin, A. B., Geffken, G. R., & Silverstein, J. H. (2007). Peer victimization, psychosocial adjustment, and physical activity in overweight and at-risk-for-overweight youth. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 32, 80–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strawser, M. S., Storch, E. A., & Roberti, J. W. (2005). The Teasing Questionnaire-Revised: measurement of childhood teasing in adults. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 19(7), 780–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sweetingham, R., & Waller, G. (2008). Childhood Experiences of Being Bullied and Teased in the Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders, 407, 401–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., Klein, L. B., Lewis, B. P., Gruenwald, T. L., Gurung, R. A., & Updegaff, J. A. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend-and-befriend, not fight-and-flight. Psychological Review, 107, 411–429.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Troop- Gordon, W., & Ladd, G. W. (2005). Trajectories of peer victimization and perceptions of self and schoolmates: precursors to internalizing and externalizing disorders-. Child Development, 76(5), 1072–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Wal, M. F., de Wit, C. A., & Hirasing, R. A. (2003). Psychosocial health among young victims and offenders of direct and indirect bullying. Pediatrics, 111(6 Pt 1), 1312–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vidyanidhi, K., & Sudhir, M. P. M. (2009). Interpersonal sensitivity and dysfunctional cognitions in social anxiety and depression. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2(1), 25–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, K., Boyce, P., & Brownhill, S. (2004). The relationship between interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety disorders and major depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 79, 33–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, J.S. (2003). No Bullies Allowed: Understanding Peer Victimization, the Impacts on Delinquency, and the Effectiveness of Prevention Programs, Unpublished dissertation, retrieved from www.rand.org

  • Zuroff, D. C., Blatt, S. J., Sainslow, C. A., Bondi, C. M., & Pilkonis, C. A. (1999). Vulnerability to depression: Reexamining state dependence and relative stability. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 108, 76–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychologist, Adelaide, South Australia

    Ritika Bhutani

  2. Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India

    Paulomi M. Sudhir

  3. Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India

    Mariamma Philip

Authors
  1. Ritika Bhutani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paulomi M. Sudhir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mariamma Philip
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paulomi M. Sudhir.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bhutani, R., Sudhir, P.M. & Philip, M. Teasing Experiences, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Self-Schema and Psychological Distress in Youth: an Exploratory Study. Psychol Stud 59, 241–251 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-014-0261-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-014-0261-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation