Peer victimization and personality traits neuroticism and conscientiousness in adolescence: Testing the direction of effects

Objective: This longitudinal study examines the effects of personality traits neuroticism and conscientiousness on future victimization by peers, and the effects of victimization by peers on these two personality traits. Method: The data used includes the first two waves from the ongoing longitudinal study Research on Adolescent Development And Relationships (RADAR) project. Participants in the first wave were 493 adolescents (56.7% boys), with a mean age of 13.03 years (SD=0.46). In the second wave, 466 adolescents (56.9% boys) participated. The participants filled out the self-report questionnaires Big-Five personality inventory (short form) and the Proactive/Reactive Aggression Questionnaire. Results: Victimization by peers was found to predict future neuroticism, but not conscientiousness. Furthermore, neither neuroticism, nor conscientiousness could predict future peer victimization. Discussion: Contrary to the findings of Jensen-Campbell & Malcolm (2007), neither of the personality traits neuroticism and conscientiousness were found to predict future peer victimization. However, peer victimization did account for an increase in neuroticism. Conscientiousness on the other hand, was not at all related to peer victimization.