Anger rumination and adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration: Moral disengagement and callous-unemotional traits as moderators

Witnessing family violence and adolescent cyberbullying perpetration: A longitudinal moderated mediation model involving anger dysregulation and teacher support

BACKGROUND

Family violence has been shown to be associated with traditional adolescent bullying perpetration. However, few studies have considered the association between witnessing family violence and adolescent bullying perpetration in cyberspace.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to reveal the mechanism explaining the association between witnessing family violence and adolescent cyberbullying perpetration by testing the mediating effect of anger dysregulation and the moderating effect of teacher support.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Participants were 751 Chinese adolescents (Mage at Time 1 = 13.25) who completed the measures of witnessing family violence, anger dysregulation, cyberbullying perpetration, and teacher support at three time points over the year.

METHODS

Structural equation modeling was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of witnessing family violence on adolescent cyberbullying perpetration through anger dysregulation as a mediator and perceived teacher support as a moderator.

RESULTS

The results showed that witnessing family violence at baseline positively predicted adolescent cyberbullying perpetration at T3, and anger dysregulation at T2 partially mediated this association. The positive relation between witnessing family violence and later anger dysregulation was stronger for adolescents who perceived higher levels of teacher support.

CONCLUSIONS

Witnessing family violence could increase the risk for adolescent cyberbullying perpetration, with anger dysregulation mediating this association. The protective effect of perceived teacher support weakens as the levels of witnessing family violence increase. These findings offer insight into the connection between witnessing family violence and adolescent bullying perpetration in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of promoting programs to prevent intrafamilial violence.

Peer victimization and Internet addiction among adolescents: The role of anger rumination and social dominance orientation

INTRODUCTION

Internet addiction has garnered growing attention in recent years, and peer victimization plays a major contributor to adolescents' Internet addiction. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms in the association between peer victimization and Internet addiction. Guided by cognitive behavioral model and worldview verification model, this study examined a moderated mediation model in which anger rumination at Time 1 (T1) mediated the association between peer victimization at T1 and Internet addiction at Time 2 (T2), and this mediation effect was moderated by T1 social dominance orientation (SDO).

METHODS

A short-term longitudinal design was adopted, incorporating two measurement occasions (with approximately 6-month intervals). Participants were 2597 adolescents (51.5% male, Mage  = 13.9, SD = 0.60) from seven secondary schools in Zhengzhou City, China. All participants were invited to complete the self-reported questionnaires assessing peer victimization, anger rumination, SDO at T1 (December 2015) and Internet addiction at T2 (June 2016), respectively. A short-term longitudinal moderated mediation model was conducted to analyze the association between variables.

RESULTS

The results showed that T1 peer victimization was positively associated with T2 Internet addiction in which association was mediated by T1 anger rumination. T1 SDO moderated the associations between T1 peer victimization and T1 anger rumination and this effect was stronger with lower levels of SDO. In terms of gender differences, SDO moderated the associations between peer victimization and anger rumination only for boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight that anger rumination is a potential mechanism explaining how peer victimization is related to Internet addiction and that this relation may be moderated by SDO.

Does Sensation Seeking Lead to Adolescents' Cyberbullying Perpetration? The Mediating Role of Moral Disengagement and The Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support

Based on the general aggression model, the current study examined the mediating role of moral disengagement in the association between sensation seeking and cyberbullying perpetration and the moderating role of perceived social support. A total of 2,286 Chinese adolescents aged 11-16 years completed the questionnaires regarding sensation seeking, cyberbullying perpetration, moral disengagement, and perceived social support. After gender and age were controlled, sensation seeking was significantly and positively associated with cyberbullying perpetration and this relationship was partially mediated by moral disengagement. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that perceived social support moderated the relationship between sensation seeking and moral disengagement as well as sensation seeking and cyberbullying perpetration. These two relationships became weaker for adolescents with high perceived social support. Specifically, adolescents with higher levels of sensation seeking were more likely to develop moral disengagement and further engaged in cyberbullying perpetration, when they perceived less social support.

Exploring the longitudinal relationship between anger rumination and peer victimization when controlling for sadness rumination

Anger rumination is an unconstructive cognitive-emotion regulation strategy that bears negative adjustment outcomes in youth. Anger rumination is mostly examined as an outcome of prior peer victimization. Unidirectional links between maladaptive anger regulation and later peer difficulties have also been reported. Surprisingly, whether anger rumination and peer victimization are mutually related and reinforcing is poorly explored. The present study tested reciprocal associations between anger rumination and peer victimization in 367 5th graders (Mage = 10.53, SE = 0.16; 54.2% girls). To increase precision of findings sadness rumination was treated as a confounder. Self-reported data were obtained at two times, spaced 1 year. Cross-lagged analyses showed that peer victimization predicted increases in anger rumination but not vice versa, after controlling for sadness rumination. Victimized boys were found to be more at risk for endorsing anger rumination over time as compared to victimized girls. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.

Fight or Flight? Curvilinear Relations between Previous Cyberbullying Victimization Experiences and Continuous Use of Social Media: Social Media Rumination and Distress as Chain Mediators

Recently, the number of active users of social media platforms is declining, posing a challenge to the sustainability of interest in social media and related industries. Therefore, it is of great significance to examine the environmental and psychological factors that influence the continuous use of social media. Until recently, little research has examined this topic from the perspective of the relationship between previous cyberbullying victimization experiences (PCVE) and the continuous use of social media (CUOSM), not to mention the psychological mechanisms that lead to this relationship. In addition, there are paradoxes in existing studies: one side believes that PCVE causes users to become addicted to using social media, while the other side argues that PCVE drives users to escape from using social media. In order to respond to this controversy and clarify the relationship between PCVE and CUOSM, this study introduces two psychological variables, namely “social media rumination (SMR)” and “distress”, in order to construct a chain mediation model. Researchers surveyed 692 people who had experienced social media cyberbullying, and analyzed the data through SPSS and Mplus. The findings were as follows: 1. There is an inverted U-shaped curve relationship between PCVE and CUOSM. Specifically, the relationship initially exhibits a positive correlation (the period named fight), which then becomes negative (the period named flight). 2. When PCVE and CUOSM are positively correlated, SMR is the main factor that contributes to an increase in CUOSM. 3. When PCVE and CUOSM are negatively correlated, distress is the major factor that causes a decline in CUOSM. This study provides an explanation for the controversy in previous research, expands the scope of social media research, and provides a practical reference for social media platforms to enhance their existing users’ continuous use.

The effect of trait mindfulness on social media rumination: Upward social comparison as a moderated mediator

Social media rumination means that social media users are inclined to worry about their posts, relevant situational elements, and ramifications of the posts on a regular basis, and it is one of the main reasons why people's use of social media is linked to unfavorable mental health and interpersonal results. Rumination is antagonistic to mindfulness, which entails paying attention on purpose and without judgment, and mindfulness appears to be useful in reducing rumination. However, in the context of social media, the nature of the relationship between rumination and mindfulness has gained less attention. The current research study indicates that trait mindfulness, upward social comparison (USC), and self-esteem are implicated in social media rumination (SMR). However, no research study has synthesized the findings into one model. Therefore, the current research study aims to explore the relationship between trait mindfulness and SMR, the mediating effect of USC, and the moderating effect of self-esteem. The model was tested using AMOS and the PROCESS macro in SPSS with bootstrapping. According to the findings, SC appears to have a moderated mediator effect on the relationship between trait mindfulness and SMR. Specifically, individuals with high mindfulness trait do not necessarily have less USC. Self-esteem moderated the above mediation. The beneficial effect of trait mindfulness on social media rumination is explained in depth in this study.

Moral Disengagement, Dark Triad and Face Mask Wearing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Not wearing a face mask, despite the sanitary recommendation, represented a public health risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the aim of the study was to determine the mediating role of moral disengagement in the relationship between the dark triad and face mask wearing during the second wave of the pandemic. We worked with a sample made up of 534 adults, who were administered the Dirty Dozen Dark test, the Moral Disengagement Mechanisms Scale and a questionnaire on the frequency of use of face masks. The results showed that moral disengagement mediates the effect of each trait of the dark triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism) on the use of face masks. It is concluded that those who possess any of the dark personality traits morally disengage in order not to use a face mask, exercising a reckless behavior of the possible contagion of COVID-19 to others.

Perceived Parental Acceptance and Cyberbullying Perpetration among Chinese Adolescents: Moderated Mediation Models of Materialism and Insecure Attachment

Cyberbullying perpetration (CP) is a common and devastating network deviation behavior. Some parenting factors for CP have been identified, but few studies have examined the correlation between perceived maternal/paternal acceptance (PMA/PPA) and CP, and the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation are also largely unknown. Thus, by using a cross-sectional designed questionnaire survey of 4,206 adolescents (M = 16.41 years, SD = 0.77), the current study examined the relationship between PMA/PPA and CP, as well as the mediating effect of materialism and the moderating effects of father/mother-child attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance in this relation. The results showed that PMA/PPA was protective factors of CP. The moderated mediation models showed that materialism played a partial mediation role in the relationship between PMA/PPA and CP. Moreover, the direct association of PMA/PPA with CP was exacerbated by stronger father/mother-child attachment anxiety, in contrast, it was weakened by stronger father/mother-child attachment avoidance. Besides, both father/mother-child attachment anxiety and father/mother-child attachment avoidance strengthened the direct relationship between materialism and CP, and further strengthened the indirect association of PMA/PPA with CP. This study highlighted the importance of uncovering the link between perceived parental acceptance and adolescents' CP and emphasized the underlying mechanisms, which are of great significance for the prevention and intervention of adolescents' CP.

Responses Toward Injustice Shaped by Justice Sensitivity – Evidence From Germany

Anger, indignation, guilt, rumination, victim compensation, and perpetrator punishment are considered primary responses associated with justice sensitivity (JS). However, injustice and high JS may predispose to further responses. We had N = 293 adults rate their JS, 17 potential responses toward 12 unjust scenarios from the victim’s, observer’s, beneficiary’s, and perpetrator’s perspectives, and several control variables. Unjust situations generally elicited many affective, cognitive, and behavioral responses. JS generally predisposed to strong affective responses toward injustice, including sadness, pity, disappointment, and helplessness. It impaired trivialization, victim-blaming, or justification, which may otherwise help cope with injustice. It predisposed to conflict solutions and victim compensation. Particularly victim and beneficiary JS had stronger effects in unjust situations from the corresponding perspective. These findings add to a better understanding of the main and interaction effects of unjust situations from different perspectives and the JS facets, differences between the JS facets, as well as the links between JS and behavior and well-being.

The effects of childhood maltreatment on cyberbullying in college students: The roles of cognitive processes

Previous studies suggested that childhood maltreatment was associated with cyberbullying. However, it's not clear the internal cognitive processes of how maltreatment causes cyberbullying. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the effect of childhood maltreatment on cyberbullying and the mediating effects of hostile attribution bias and anger rumination. A sample of 528 college students completed the measures of childhood maltreatment, cyberbullying, hostile attribution bias, and anger rumination. Multiple mediation analysis and bootstrapping showed that hostile attribution bias and anger rumination mediated the link between child maltreatment and cyberbullying. The results of this study suggested that childhood maltreatment increased the risk of cyberbullying, which was caused by a co-effect of hostile attribution bias and anger rumination, and it provides an intervention direction for effectively preventing the cyberbullying in abused individuals.

Are mindful people less involved in online trolling? A moderated mediation model of perceived social media fatigue and moral disengagement

Online trolling is aggressive online behavior that has severe consequences for the mental health of internet users. Online trolling can be influenced by personal factors and psychological states. Based on the General Aggression Model, moral disengagement was examined as a moderator of the direct and indirect relations between mindfulness and online trolling via social media fatigue. A total of 1123 college students completed questionnaires regarding their experience with online trolling, mindfulness, social media fatigue, and moral disengagement. The results showed that individuals with high mindfulness were less likely to troll others online, which was mediated by their social media fatigue. Furthermore, moral disengagement moderated the indirect relationship between mindfulness and online trolling. Specifically, the relationship between mindfulness and social media fatigue became weaker for individuals with high moral disengagement. The relationship between social media fatigue and online trolling became strengthened for individuals with high moral disengagement. These findings elucidate the role of personal factors and the present internal state in online trolling and suggest that comprehensive intervention programs may be promising for reducing online trolling.

Toxic behaviors in online multiplayer games: Prevalence, perception, risk factors of victimization, and psychological consequences

The rapid proliferation of online multiplayer games has opened a new avenue for aggressive behaviors such as hostile communication, sabotaging, and griefing. The present investigation explores the prevalence, perception, risk factors, and consequences of victimization in toxic behaviors. A total of 2097 Hungarian gamers (88.5% male, M_age = 26.2 years, SD = 6.8) completed an online questionnaire. Most (66%) were victims of such incidents in the past year, and gamers considered the problem of toxic behaviors as severe. Younger gamers who spent more time playing competitive videogames (especially multiplayer online battle arena and shooter games) were more likely to experience toxic behaviors from others. Repeatedly victimized gamers reported more symptoms of depression and problematic videogame use, while victim/perpetrators expressed higher anxiety and anger rumination. These results highlight the importance of cultivating prosocial group norms in gamers to improve safety of online multiplayer environments.

Effects of parental attitude and proactive and reactive aggression on cyberbullying and victimization among secondary school students

PURPOSE

To predict the effect of parental attitude and proactive and reactive aggression on the cyberbully, cyber victims, and cyberbully/victim among students aged 9-14 years.

METHODS

This study is a cross-sectional, correlational, and predictive study. The sample included 360 students. Data were collected with the "Adolescence Information Form," "Parental Attitude Scale," "Proactive-Reactive Aggression Scale," and "Cyberbully/Victim Questionnaire." Logistic regression analysis was used.

FINDINGS

This study was determined that proactive-reactive aggression and parental attitude predicted 30.3% of cyberbully/victim cases. Proactive aggression and Internet usage time are essential predictors of cyberbullying cases.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To protect and improve their children's health, children should be informed about cyberbullying, proactive-reactive aggression, and the duration of Internet use.

Does mindfulness reduce trolling? The relationship between trait mindfulness and online trolling: The mediating role of anger rumination and the moderating role of online disinhibition

BACKGROUND

Online trolling is a highly prevalent online antisocial behaviour that has recently received increasing attention because of its potentially destructive consequences. The current study aimed to examine whether trait mindfulness was negatively related to online trolling and whether anger rumination mediated this relationship. We further examined whether online disinhibition moderated the direct and indirect relation between trait mindfulness and online trolling.

METHODS

A total of 1303 Chinese college students completed the measurements of trait mindfulness, anger rumination, online disinhibition, and online trolling. Moderated mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between these variables.

RESULTS

After controlling for sex, the results showed that trait mindfulness was negatively related to online trolling and that this relationship was partially mediated by anger rumination. Moreover, the effect of anger rumination on online trolling was strengthened when online disinhibition was high.

LIMITATIONS

This study is a cross-sectional study, and causal inferences cannot be drawn.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with trait mindfulness are less likely to ruminate anger and further express less online trolling. Online disinhibition serves as a risk factor for online trolling. Interventions targeting trait mindfulness, anger rumination, and online disinhibition might aid prevention strategies.

Relationship between stressful life events and cyberbullying perpetration: Roles of fatalism and self-compassion

Few studies have documented the relationship between stressful life events and cyberbullying perpetration, and the mechanisms connecting this link are unknown. Thus, the current study tested the association of stressful life events with cyberbullying perpetration and explored this influencing mechanism further with fatalism and self-compassion tested as a mediator and a moderator respectively. A sample of 1104 Chinese adolescents (50.72% males; mean age = 13.11) volunteered for this study. The results revealed that exposure to stressful life events was positively related to cyberbullying perpetration, and fatalism played a mediation role in this relationship. The moderated mediation model revealed that stronger self-compassion weakened and even interrupted the direct associations of stressful life events with fatalism and cyberbullying perpetration, and further weakened and even interrupted the indirect relationship between stressful life events and cyberbullying perpetration via fatalism. That is, adolescents low in self-compassion were more likely to build fatalistic beliefs and engage in cyberbullying perpetration when they experienced high levels of stressful life events; whereas, stressful life events were not related to increased risk of cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents high in self-compassion.

Longitudinal associations between cybervictimization, anger rumination, and cyberaggression

Adolescents' involvement in cyberbullying has been a growing public health concern for some time. Cybervictimization and cyberaggression are two phenomena that previous research has often shown to be associated. However, longitudinal research into these associations and also into potential risk factors for these phenomena is less common. Anger rumination is a proven risk factor for aggressive behavior, but the relationship between anger rumination and victimization is not clear. The present longitudinal study investigated the associations between cybervictimization, anger rumination and cyberbullying in a sample of 3017 adolescents (MW1  = 13.15; SD = 1.09; 49% girls) from 7th to 9th grade. The European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire and the Anger Rumination Scale were administered in four waves with 6 months intervals over a total period of 18 months. The associations between the variables were analyzed with a cross-lagged model. We found that: cybervictimization predicted anger rumination and cyberaggression; anger rumination was associated with later increases in both cybervictimization and cyberaggression: but involvement in cyberaggression predicted neither subsequent involvement in cybervictimization, nor in anger rumination. In addition, cybervictimization was found to mediate the association between anger rumination and cyberaggression. This study expands the understanding of the factors associated with cybervictimization and cyberaggression, and its results indicate that intervention programs should focus on boosting self-control to decrease impulsive behavior and protocols to prevent and intervene in cyberbullying.