Internalizing Problems and Involvement with Prosocial and Antisocial Peers: Self-Efficacy As a Mediator

Background: Childhood internalizing problems are a major public health concern. An estimated 31.9% of adolescents report experiencing anxiety and 14.3% depression (Merikangas et al., 2010). The risks for internalizing problems include sex and cognitive emotion regulation strategies (Burlaka et al., 2017; Cicchetti, 2016; Garnefski et al., 2005) and deviant peer affiliation (Christina et al., 2021; Hoglund & Chisholm, 2014). Individual self-efficacy is shown to mediate the relationship between life adversity and depression (Bandura et al., 1999; Maciejewski et al., 2000). In this study, we examined the association between peer behaviors, self-efficacy, and internalizing problems in a large sample of children. We hypothesized that 1) children involved with more prosocial and fewer antisocial peers would have fewer internalizing problems, and 2) self-efficacy would be a mediator for both relationships.

Method: Participants were 1,545 Ukrainian children (58% girls), aged 11-13 (M = 11.85, SD = .67) attending urban middle schools. The data were collected as part of Wave 1 of the Ukrainian Longitudinal Study, and all procedures were approved by the Ukrainian Commission on Ethics. The Youth Self-Report (YSR; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) was used to assess internalizing problems (a = .91) and the Peer Behavior Profile (PBP; Zucker & Fitzgerald, 2002) was used to assess peer involvement in prosocial behaviors (a = .66) and antisocial behaviors (a = .81). The self-efficacy was assessed with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE; Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) (Cronbach a = .91). Participants answered a demographics questionnaire measuring sex (male/female) and age (in years). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to simultaneously assess both direct and indirect effects.

Results: The measurement model showed an acceptable fit for the data (χ2 (47) = 247.68, p < .001) with all observed variables significantly loading on their respective factors. Fit indices were acceptable (CFI = .97, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .05). Children had fewer internalizing problems if they had higher self-efficacy (b = -.10, p < .001), were males (b = -.09, p < .001), and had fewer antisocial peer affiliation (b = .42, p < .001). Self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between antisocial (b = .01, p < .05) and prosocial (b = -.11, p < 0.001) peers and internalizing behaviors. Path model fit was acceptable (χ2 (48) = 295.69, p < .001, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, RMSEA = .058).

Discussion: The results highlight the critical role of peer affiliation and child self-efficacy in the development of child psychopathology. Being exposed to negative influences of antisocial peers has a significant direct effect on the development of child internalizing problems. However, children with a higher sense of self-efficacy tend to have fewer internalizing problems due to their ability to stick to their goals, rely on coping skills, and disposition to solving difficult problems. In addition to strategies to reduce peer antisocial behaviors, practitioners in urban schools should consider the interventions that promote children's self-efficacy, for example, targeting action planning, reinforcing efforts toward behavior, and time management (Williams & French, 2011).