How Do Cyber Victimization and Low Core Self-Evaluations Interrelate in Predicting Adolescent Problematic Technology Use?

María Angeles Peláez-Fernández,María Teresa Chamizo-Nieto,Lourdes Rey,Natalio Extremera

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063114

María Angeles Peláez-Fernández, María Teresa Chamizo-Nieto + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063114

Copy DOI

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that cyber victimization is consistently associated with higher problem behaviors such as problematic technology use. However, little research has examined specific individual dispositions that can serve as a buffer in the link between cyber victimization and higher problematic uses of technology (i.e., problematic Internet, smartphone, and social media), such as core self-evaluations (CSE). A convenience sample of 1211 high school students, 657 females, 554 males, aged 12 to 18 (mean age = 13.74) completed measures of cyber victimization, CSE, and different problematic technology-related behaviors. Results of correlational analysis revealed significant associations between cyber victimization and all problematic uses of technology. Our findings also suggested that high CSE weakened the relationship between cyber victimization and two of the three problematic uses of technology. Consistent with social compensation theory, cyber victimization was concurrently linked to different problematic uses of technology. Low CSE also strengthened the link between cyber victimization and problems use of smartphones and social media and also showed a marginally significant interaction with cyber victimization in predicting problematic Internet use. Implications of these preliminary findings are discussed and avenues for further research are offered.

Highlights

We examined the interaction between cyber victimization and core self-evaluations for problematic use of each of the new technologies (i.e., Internet, smartphones, and social media)
core self-evaluations (CSE) was negatively correlated with problematic technology use for all three technologies considered (i.e., Internet use, smartphones, and social media) and cyber victimization
Difference tests were performed in order to analyze the potential gender differences in CSE, cyber victimization and problematic technology use (Internet, social media and smartphone)

Summary

Introduction

During the last two decades, new changes in the frequency and use of communication technologies have appeared. Adolescents, who face multiple changes in their stage of life, can take advantage of the benefits of these new technologies to foster social and family relationships, transfer knowledge and learn, or enjoy their leisure time [1]. Some theorists have linked the use of technologies with managing emotional and social deficits. According to the social compensation hypothesis, adolescents showing shyness, loneliness, and social anxiety may use online communication to reduce their difficulties in face-to-face relationships, improving the quality of their social interactions and, as consequences, increasing their well-being [2,3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion