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The contribution of Bullying, Victimization, and Alexithymia to Somatic Complaints in Preadolescents

Marina Camodeca, University of Udine; Valentina Levantini, University of Udine; Nicolò Maria Iannello, University of Palermo

Somatic complaints in preadolescents are associated with both individual and contextual factors, with literature highlighting the role of alexithymia and bullying involvement (Allen et al., 2011; Gini & Pozzoli, 2009). However, a promising way to explore the onset of somatic complaints among teenagers would be concurrently considering adolescents? intrapersonal factors and their environment, adopting an ecological approach that would offer a more nuanced picture (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; Chapman, 2005). Thus, the current cross-sectional study aimed to explore the joint and unique contribution of bullying involvement, as perpetrators or victims, and alexithymia on somatic complaints in a sample of 179 Italian middle-school students (aged 11-15 years; 49.20% males). Variables were assessed by means of self-reports. Results showed that bullying perpetration and victimization were indirectly associated with somatic complaints via alexithymia (b .13, 95%BootCI [.621, .213] and b .06, 95%BootCI [.015, .107], respectively). Victimization was also directly and significantly associated with somatic complaints (b .13, p .001). The findings showed that both bullying perpetration and victimization might put youths at risk of developing somatic complaints and shed light on one of the mechanisms that might underpin this association. This further indicates the importance of emotional awareness for youths? well-being and suggests that promoting social-emotional skills might prevent some of the negative outcomes of bullying involvement.

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