The relationship between shyness and cyberbullying victimization: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

Recently, cyberbullying studies have attracted attention given the consequences of victims’ personal and social domains. The present research investigated the risk and protectors of cyberbullying victimization (CV) among adolescents. Based on the Social Fitness Model, the current study examined the relationship between shyness and CV. To explore this influencing mechanism further, fatalism was tested as a mediator. Moreover, according to the Social Ecological Theory, supportive power was examined as a moderator in the direct and indirect relationship between shyness and CV. A total of 831 adolescents (M = 13.13; SD = 1.15; 51.14 % girls) volunteered to complete the multiple questionnaires, namely, Shyness Scale, Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, Fatalism Scale, and the Supportive Power sub-questionnaire. Correlation analysis indicated that shyness, fatalism, and CV were significantly related to each other positively, and supportive power was negatively correlated with shyness, fatalism, and CV. Moderated mediation analysis showed that fatalism played a mediating role between shyness and CV. Specifically, shy adolescents were more likely to have stronger fatalism, which further triggered CV. Additionally, supportive power moderated the direct and indirect relationship between shyness and CV through fatalism. Specifically, a high level of supportive power buffered the associations of shyness with CV and fatalism, and the association of fatalism with CV, supporting the moderated mediation model. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between shyness and CV, and revealed the moderated mediation mechanism. The results implicate the preventative interventions to reduce the risk of cyberbullying victimization in shy adolescents.