Cyberbullying Victimization and Adolescent Drinking Behavior: Deviant Peer Affiliation as a Mediator and Personal Growth Initiative as a Moderator

Pei Chen,Qi Xie,Xiaodong Xie,Wei Zhang,Xiong Gan,Chengfu Yu,Mucheng Xin,Chang Wei

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.572530

Abstract

Research has demonstrated a robust positive association between cyberbullying victimization and adolescent drinking behavior; however, the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship remain largely unexplored. Grounded in the social development model and person-environment interactions model, our study explored whether deviant peer affiliation mediated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and adolescent drinking behavior and whether this mediating effect was moderated by personal growth initiative. A sample of 1,006 adolescents (Mage = 13.16 years; SD = 0.67) anonymously completed self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling indicated that the positive association between cyberbullying victimization and drinking behavior was partly mediated by deviant peer affiliation for both girls and boys. Further, this mediating process was stronger for adolescents with low personal growth initiative than for those with high personal growth initiative. There were no significant gender differences for this moderating effect. These findings underline the importance of deviant peer affiliation and personal growth initiative in understanding how and when cyberbullying victimization impacts adolescent drinking behavior.

Highlights

Cyberbullying victimization among adolescents represents a serious public health concern, as it has been shown to have an adverse impact on their psychological growth [1, 2]
The results showed that cyberbullying victimization were positively correlated to deviant peer affiliation and drinking behavior
The results are displayed in Figure 3. cyberbullying victimization was positively associated with deviant peer affiliation (b = 0.39, SE = 0.03, t = 13.47, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.34, 0.45]), and deviant peer affiliation was positively associated with drinking behavior (b = 0.14, SE = 0.01, t = 4.05, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.07, 0.21])

Summary

Introduction

Cyberbullying victimization among adolescents represents a serious public health concern, as it has been shown to have an adverse impact on their psychological growth [1, 2]. On the basis of general strain theory [12], high pressure circumstances (such as cyberbullying victimization) might increase the possibility of delinquent behavior (such as drinking behavior). In line with this theory, Ouyang et al found a positive association between cyberbullying victimization and adolescent alcohol use [11]. These studies have documented the positive relationship between cyberbullying victimization and adolescent drinking behavior, the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms remain largely unclear. Given its high prevalence and detrimental effects on adolescent development, identifying the mechanisms underlying drinking behavior to enhance prevention programs and develop targeted interventions is essential

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion