Relational aggression and depression

Relational aggression includes things such as spreading rumours, gossip and socially isolating people. It has been linked to poor health and a team of researchers from Hampton University in Virginia looked into the links between relational aggression and depression in a sample of 241 African American college students. Depression is common in this age group and suicide is the leading cause of death among 15-24 year-olds. The study found that experiencing relational aggression correlated significantly with depression.

Gomes, Melissa M. ... [et al] - Correlation of the experience of peer relational aggression victimization and depression among African American adolescent females Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing November 2009, 22(4), 175-181