Abstract
Although vast research has shown that cybervictimization is a significant risk factor of adolescent’s internet addiction (IA), little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind this relationship. The current study examined whether depression mediated the relationship between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA, and whether the direct and indirect effect was moderated by prosocial peer affiliation (PPA). A sample of 1,006 adolescents (Meanage = 13.16; SD = 0.67) anonymously completed the questionnaires. The results revealed that the positive association between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA was mediated by depression. Moderated mediation analysis further showed that PPA moderated the association between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA. However, this indirect effect was stronger for adolescents with high PPA than for those with low PPA, which means that the protective effects of PPA are limited. These findings highlight the mediating and moderating mechanisms between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA, and provide guidance for the prevention and intervention in adolescent’s IA.
Highlights
According to the 44th statistical report on internet development in China [China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), 2019], the number of Chinese internet users has reached 854 million, of which 16.9% are aged between 10 and 19
Bias-corrected percentile bootstrapping analyses indicated that depression significantly mediated the link between cybervictimization and adolescent internet addiction (IA) [indirect effect = 0.06, SE = 0.01, 95% CI (0.04, 0.10)]
This study investigated whether depression mediates the relationship between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA, and whether this mediating effect is moderated by prosocial peer affiliation (PPA)
Summary
According to the 44th statistical report on internet development in China [China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), 2019], the number of Chinese internet users has reached 854 million, of which 16.9% are aged between 10 and 19. It is reasonable to assume that psychological disorders such as depression may mediate the relationship between cybervictimization and adolescents’ IA Consistent with this theoretical framework, several empirical research have demonstrated this view (Zhao et al, 2017; Gao et al, 2018; Sela et al, 2020). It is reasonable to expect that affiliation with prosocial peers can reduce adolescents’ deviant behaviors by encouraging participation in prosocial behaviors and preventing relationships with deviant peers Consistent with this theory, many empirical studies indicate that adolescents with a high proportion of prosocial peers are less likely to engage in substance use and delinquency (Barry and Wentzel, 2006; Han and Margolin, 2016).
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