Examining the longitudinal direct and indirect relationships between early sleep (quality and duration) and later cyberbullying perpetration in emerging adults

Abstract

ObjectivesResearchers have recently posited the importance of sleep as a predictor of cyberbullying perpetration. We aimed to fill several theoretical gaps in the literature. First, most of the research focuses on sleep quality and not duration. Second, most of the studies are correlational, limiting causal claims. Third, few studies have tested the theoretical mediators (anger, hostility, and self-control) in the relationship between sleep (quality and duration) and cyberbullying. MethodsWe employed short-term three-wave longitudinal study with US emerging adults (N = 182). At each wave participants completed measures of cyberbullying perpetration, anger, hostility, self-control, sleep quality, and sleep duration. ResultsFindings from our longitudinal path model showed that Wave 2 anger was the only significant mediator between Wave 1 sleep duration (not quality) and Wave 3 cyberbullying. ConclusionsWe supported past research focused on the mediating role of anger in the relationship between sleep and cyberbullying, and theory that explicates the importance of mediators. Moreover, we contributed to this literature by employing a longitudinal design, assessing mediators, focusing on sleep duration and quality, and using an emerging adult population.