Exploring how leisure-time physical activity moderate the school bullying-trauma network among children: the role of body image.

BACKGROUND: Bullying is a prevalent form of interpersonal aggression that can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children. However, the interplay between different forms of school bullying, PTSD symptom clusters, and body-related factors remains unclear. Body image, defined as the perceptions and attitudes toward body, is closely tied to the emotional wellbeing and sensitivity to peer experiences, making it an important factor in understanding the psychological impact of bullying. Leisure-time physical activity, known to be associated with body perceptions, thereby may also shape the response to bullying victimization. METHODS: A total of 1,686 Chinese primary school students (M age = 10.95, SD = 0.85, 53.6% male) completed self-report measures of bullying victimization, PTSD symptoms, body appreciation, and physical activity. The Gaussian Graphical Model (GGM) was used, with the Bridge Expected Influence (BEI) as an index reflecting the extent of connecting distinct communities within the network. The moderating effect of leisure-time physical activity was examined using the Moderated Network Model (MNM). RESULTS: Verbal bullying and alienation emerged as primary bridge nodes (i.e., variables that connect victimization and PTSD symptom communities in the network), while body appreciation is negatively associated with verbal bullying and alienation. MNM showed that leisure-time physical activity moderated the relationship between body appreciation and alienation as well as the link between body appreciation and verbal bullying. CONCLUSION: Body appreciation is a crucial psychological resource buffering bullying-related trauma. In addition, findings also support leisure-time physical activity as a valuable opportunity for self-expression at the social level, which may contribute to the recovery from bullying-related trauma.