Cybervictimization, Depression, and Adolescent Internet Addiction: The Moderating Effect of Prosocial Peer Affiliation

Frontiers in Psychology

article

Zhenhai Wang¹  Qi Xie²  Mucheng Xin²  Chang Wei¹  Chengfu Yu²  Shuangju Zhen¹  Sha Liu³  Jianping Wang⁴  Wei Zhang¹ 

[1] Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University;Department of Psychology and Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University;School of Health Management, Guangzhou Medical University;School of Politics and Public Administration, South China Normal University

关键词: cybervictimization;    internet addiction;    depression;    prosocial peer affiliation;    adolescent;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2020.572486

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Although vast research has shown that cybervictimization is a significant risk factor of adolescent’s internet addiction (IA), little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind this relationship. The current study examined whether depression mediated the relationship between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA, and whether the direct and indirect effect was moderated by prosocial peer affiliation (PPA). A sample of 1,006 adolescents ( Mean age = 13.16; SD = 0.67) anonymously completed the questionnaires. The results revealed that the positive association between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA was mediated by depression. Moderated mediation analysis further showed that PPA moderated the association between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA. However, this indirect effect was stronger for adolescents with high PPA than for those with low PPA, which means that the protective effects of PPA are limited. These findings highlight the mediating and moderating mechanisms between cybervictimization and adolescent’s IA, and provide guidance for the prevention and intervention in adolescent’s IA.

【 授权许可】

CC BY