ERIC Number: EJ1473278
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Dec
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1381-2890
EISSN: EISSN-1573-1928
Available Date: 2025-06-04
Interpersonal Mistreatments at University and Student Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Institutional Dehumanization
Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal, v28 n1 Article 121 2025
Based on institutional betrayal theory, this research examines whether students' perceptions of being dehumanized by their universities mediate the relationships between different types of interpersonal mistreatment on campus (i.e., bullying victimization, sexual harassment, ostracism) and impaired student well-being. A cross-sectional study (N = 2,318) was conducted among Belgian university students using online questionnaires. Structural equation modeling results indicated that, when considered together, all types of interpersonal mistreatment were positively associated with institutional dehumanization. In turn, students' perceptions of being dehumanized by their universities were associated with worsened well-being, including lower life satisfaction, increased depression, and more somatic symptoms. Institutional dehumanization partially mediated the relationship between interpersonal mistreatments and well-being. Theoretical contributions, future research directions, and practical implications are discussed.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, College Students, Interpersonal Relationship, Bullying, Victims, Sexual Harassment, Victims of Crime, Peer Acceptance, Social Isolation, Humanization, Well Being, Life Satisfaction, Depression (Psychology), Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Université catholique de Louvain, Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium