Adolescent identity formation and the impact of peer victimization

Research and psychological perspectives highlight the complex process of identity formation during adolescence. While childhood is characterized by the absorption of environmental impressions and the modeling of behaviors by parents, adolescence marks a shift toward independence and the construction of a unique self-identity.

A study conducted in Curitiba, Brazil, involving over 300 adolescents, examined how peer victimization influences self-perception. The research found that experiences of being teased, insulted, or mocked by peers are significant predictors of negative self-portrayal. These negative self-portrayals—which include feelings of shame, inadequacy, and self-doubt—tend to remain stable over time, suggesting that early social victimization has lasting effects on how young people view themselves.