The aim of this study, based on the resilience perspective, was to investigate the effects of interpersonal stressful events (vulnerability factors) and coping styles (protective factors) on adjustment of young adults with a personal history of peer victimization during childhood. Participants were 301 Japanese young adults with a mean age of 19.7 years (SD1.29). A questionnaire was administered, which included questions concerning memories of peer victimization during childhood, as well as three self-rating scales involving interpersonal stressful events, coping styles, and depression and anxiety. Results suggested that compared with non-victimized controls, young adults with a personal history of peer victimization during childhood had more problem adapting, although no difference was found in the levels of exposure to current interpersonal stressful events. This tendency was stronger for men than women, and the starting age of victimization made no difference in the adaptation problem. Results also showed that both problem-focused and support-seeking coping as a protective factor had a compensatory effect for long-term negative outcomes of victimization by peers during childhood.
Key words: resilience, peer victimization, coping, young adulthood