Self-Disclosure in Friendships as the Moderator of the Association Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Overweight Adolescents

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of self-disclosure in best friendships on the pathway from peer victimization to depressive symptoms as mediated by self-esteem for physical appearance (SEPA) in overweight adolescents. Utilizing data from 610 French-speaking Canadian adolescents in Grades 7 and 8, the current study examined self-reports of peer victimization, SEPA, self-disclosure in their best friendship, and depressive symptoms and researcher measured height and weight during two time periods over 1 year in overweight adolescents ( n = 137). Self-disclosure in friendships buffered the link between peer victimization and depressive symptoms in overweight adolescents. In addition, the protective effect of self-disclosure for the overweight adolescents was through the indirect pathway through SEPA.