Peer victimization and peer sexual harassment across early adolescence: Branches from the same tree or free-standing constructs?

Researchers have debated whether peer victimization and peer sexual harassment (PSH) are branches from the same tree and/or whether they are different constructs; yet no previous study has been able to clarify this issue. We used exploratory structural equation modeling to examine three different, theoretically informed ways of conceptualizing peer victimization and PSH. Annual three-wave questionnaire data included 997 participants at T1 (M age = 10.0 years, SD = 0.3). Results indicated that peer victimization and PSH should best be viewed as two distinct, yet related constructs - a proposition valid across both time (ages 10-12) and genders. The findings from the present study can inform future research on adolescents' adverse peer experiences.