Cyber victimization and adjustment difficulties: The mediation of Chinese and American adolescents’ digital technology usage

Abstract

Researchers have focused on identifying factors which might reduce the negative consequences associated with cyber victimization. One prominent factor receiving attention is the role of parental mediation in adolescents' digital technology usage, and how such mediation reduces the risk of cyber victimization. Less attention has focused on different mitigating agents (i.e., teachers, friends) and their influence on adolescents' cyber victimization. Another area that has received little attention is the buffering effects of different mitigating agents on the psychosocial adjustment difficulties (i.e., depression, loneliness, anxiety) associated with cyber victimization. To address this gap in the literature, the present study investigated the role of different mitigating agents (i.e., parents, teachers, friends) in buffering against the psychosocial adjustment difficulties associated with cyber victimization among 483 Chinese (49% female) and 467 American (52% female) adolescents in the eighth grade (ages ranging from [13][14][15]. Findings revealed that all adolescents experienced more mediation by their parents, with Chinese adolescents reporting more parental mediation when compared to American adolescents. Chinese adolescents also reported more teacher mediation, while American adolescents experienced more friend mediation. In addition, high levels of parental mediation made the relationship of cyber victimization to depression and anxiety more negative for both Chinese and American adolescents. The relationships of cyber victimization to depression and anxiety were moderated by teacher mediation for Chinese adolescents, whereas this pattern was not found for American adolescents. On the other hand, friend mediation moderated the relationship of cyber victimization to depression and anxiety for American adolescents, but not for Chinese adolescents. The results of this study are discussed in terms of cultural values and how such values alter the role of adults and friends in adolescents' lives.

Parental mediation, cyber victimization, adjustment difficulties, and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

“…Aligned with previous research, cyber victimization was associated positively with depression, anxiety, and loneliness, while it was related negatively to parental mediation of technology use (Campbell et al, 2012;Kowalski & Limber, 2013;Mesch, 2009;Navarro et al, 2015;Wright, 2015). The results of the present study have the potential to contribute to the burgeoning literature focused on how parental mediation of technology use protects against the negative adjustment consequences associated with cyber victimization.…”

“…Other research on parental mediation of technology use focuses on how such strategies buffer against the negative consequences associated with these behaviors. Higher levels of parental mediation lessened the relationship between cyber victimization and depression and anxiety (Wright, 2015). On the other hand, lower levels of parental mediation increased adolescents' risk of depression and anxiety after experiencing cyber victimization.…”

“…It allows adolescents, potentially even those with autism spectrum disorder, to discuss their exposure to problematic online situations, like cyberbullying, with their parents (Livingstone, Haddon, Görzig, & Ólafsson, 2011). Such discussion might allow parents the opportunity to discuss strategies to prevent or reduce adolescents' experience of online risks (Wright, 2015). Experiencing a negative online situation, even one that is somewhat minor, might lead adolescents to seek out support and guidance from their parents regarding what they experienced.…”

“…Parental mediation of technology use is one factor receiving increased attention. In this literature, parental mediation buffers against the depression and anxiety resulting from cyber victimization (Lwin, Stanaland, & Miyazaki, 2008;Mesch, 2009;Wright, 2015). These studies include samples of typical developing adolescents.…”

“…Another risk associated with adolescents' digital technology use is cyber victimization. This risk has received attention from educators, parents, researchers, and the public because some victims of cyberbullying experience an assortment of adjustment difficulties, including depression, loneliness, and anxiety (Bauman, Toomey, & Walker, 2013;Campbell, Spears, Slee, Butler, & Kift, 2012;Hinduja & Patchin, 2008;Kowalski & Limber, 2013;Wright, 2015).…”