A latent profile analysis of emotional, behavioral, and social problems among victims of bullying

Previous research, using a variable-centered approach, points out to the possibility that not all victims of bullying have the same mental health and social profile. The aim of the current investigation was to explore whether there are different profiles—related to emotional, behavioral, and social problems—of pure victims of bullying and bully-victims, respectively, by using a person-centered approach. The analytical sample consisted of 224 children and adolescents, aged 8–17 years old (M = 14, SD = 1.97), who self-identified as pure victim or bully-victims. Latent profile analysis (LPA) produced the following four profiles among pure victims of bullying: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile with high emotional problems and moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high emotional problems and hyperactivity, but moderate conduct and social problems; and (4) a profile high in conduct and social problems, yet with moderate emotional problems and hyperactivity. Among bully-victims, LPA yielded the following four profiles: (1) an asymptomatic profile; (2) a profile of high conduct, emotional and social problems, but moderate hyperactivity; (3) a profile with high hyperactivity, moderate emotional, and conduct problems; and (4) a profile characterized by high emotional, social problems, and hyperactivity. The implications, limitations, and future directions will be discussed.