Abstract
Previous research has shown that parenting style is intricately linked to cyber-aggression. However, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear, especially among young adults. Guided by the social cognitive theory and the ecological system theory, this study aimed to examine the effect of parenting style on cyber-aggression, the potential mediating role of moral disengagement, and the moderating role of moral identity in this relationship. Participants comprised 1,796 Chinese college students who anonymously completed questionnaires on parenting style, moral disengagement, moral identity, cyber-aggression, and demographic variables. After controlling for sex and age, parental rejection and over-protection were positively related to cyber-aggression; however, parental emotional warmth was non-significantly related to cyber-aggression. Mediation analysis revealed that parenting style was related to cyber-aggressive behavior through moral disengagement. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that the indirect effect of parenting style on cyber-aggression was much stronger in college students with higher moral identity. The study carries important practical implications for parents and educators concerned about the destructive consequences of cyber-aggression.
Highlights
With the development of technology, cyber-aggression has dramatically increased in society
Emotional warmth showed a negative relationship with moral disengagement (r = −0.19, p < 0.01) and a positive relationship with moral identity (r = 0.29, p < 0.01)
Greater moral identity was associated with lower moral disengagement (r = −0.35, p < 0.01)
Summary
With the development of technology, cyber-aggression has dramatically increased in society. Cyber-aggression refers to any behavior aimed at intentionally harming individuals or groups of individuals that a person wishes to avoid (Zhao and Gao, 2012). It is enacted through digital devices such as smartphones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying is a subtype of cyber-aggression that has received considerable attention recently It is focused on producing a power imbalance between perpetrators and victims (Olweus, 2013). A previous study confirmed that despite the growing body of research regarding cyber-aggression among adolescents, studies involving young adults remain scarce (Zheng et al, 2016; Jin, 2018). Given the scarcity of cyber-aggression research and the adverse effects associated with this behavior, studies examining the potential risks and protective factors of cyber-aggression are necessary
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