Lack of assertion, peer victimization and risk for depression in girls: Testing a diathesis-stress model

To apply a diathesis × stress model to testing the association between peer victimization and depression in a sample of preadolescent girls.DSM-IV symptoms of depression symptoms were measured at ages 9 and 11, assertiveness and peer victimization were assessed by youth report at age 9.The interaction of low levels of assertiveness and high peer victimization at age 9 was predictive of depression symptoms at age 11, controlling for earlier depression symptoms.The results extend the published data on peer relations and depression by identifying a group of girls who may be particularly vulnerable to the stress of negative peer interactions.