LAUSR

BACKGROUND There is mixed evidence for whether in-person victimization and cyber victimization are differentially linked to internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression) and self-esteem among adolescents with ADHD. The goals of the present study were to: (1) evaluate in-person victimization and cyber victimization in relation to internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression) and self-esteem, and (2) examine differences in internalizing symptoms and self-esteem between in-person victimization, cyber victimization, and polyvictimization (i.e., both in-person victimization and cyber victimization). METHODS Participants were 78 adolescents (ages 13-17) diagnosed with ADHD who completed ratings of in-person victimization, cyber victimization, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Parents completed ratings of their adolescent's anxiety and depression. RESULTS Adolescents with ADHD reported experiencing higher rates of in-person victimization (64%) than cyber victimization (23%) in the last 30 days. In addition, 22% reported that they experienced polyvictimization. In-person victimization was associated with higher adolescent-reported anxiety symptoms whereas cyber victimization was associated with higher parent-reported depressive symptoms; both were associated with lower adolescent-reported self-esteem. Adolescents who reported polyvictimization reported the highest anxiety and depressive symptoms and the lowest self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS Approximately one-quarter of adolescents with ADHD report experiencing polyvictimization in the past month. Findings indicate that in-person victimization and cyber victimization are each uniquely associated with lower self-esteem, and differentially associated with co-occurring internalizing symptoms among adolescents with ADHD. Polyvictimization is especially linked to higher internalizing symptoms and lower self-esteem. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the directionality of these associations.