Externalizing Problems and Mental Health Symptoms Mediate the Relationship Between Bullying Victimization and Addictive Behaviors

Self Cite

Background: Adolescent victims of bullying are more likely to experience a range of mental health problems. Although research has investigated the relationship between bullying victimization and various addictive behaviors, the impact of bullying on problem video gaming (PVG) remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between bullying victimization and PVG as mediated by the presence of internalizing and externalizing problems. Methods: Survey responses were collected from 6353 high-school students aged 12 to 18. Measures include bullying victimization (physical, verbal, cyber and indirect), internalizing (e.g., anxious and depressive symptoms) and externalizing (e.g., aggressive and delinquent problems) problems, and PVG (measured by the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form). Results: Mediation analyses indicated that the relationship between verbal bullying and PVG was completely mediated by the presence of internalizing and externalizing problems. The relationship between physical bullying and PVG was completely mediated by externalizing problems and the relationship between cyberbullying and PVG was completely mediated by internalizing problems. Lastly, the relationship between indirect bullying and PVG was partially mediated by externalizing and internalizing problems. Conclusions: Results suggest that different types of bullying victimization are differentially associated with PVG, with mental health symptoms significantly mediating this relationship.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bullying Victimization and Problem Video Gaming: The Mediating Role of Externalizing and Internalizing Problems

Richard

Marchica

Ivoska

et al. 2021

Self Cite

“…Externalizing difficulties are usually related to the presence of aggressive, disruptive and acting-out behaviors [ 48 , 49 ]. Externalizing problems are closely associated with bullying engagement [ 17 , 50 ], and disruptive and antisocial behaviors, such as alcohol and substance abuse, which are commonly observed among bullies [ 15 , 33 , 60 , 61 ]. Adolescents with externalizing problems are more likely to experiencing difficulties in reading social cues and responding to complex interactions, which can explain their increased engagement in bullying [ 21 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 62 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Association between Externalizing and Internalizing Problems with Bullying Engagement in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Social Skills

Sousa

Peixoto

Cruz

2021

Bullying has severe public health consequences, due to its high prevalence worldwide and devastating effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, it is relevant to further understand the factors that contribute to the emergence and maintenance of bullying. This study aimed to examine the differential mediating role of social skills in the relationship between (i) externalizing problems and engagement in aggressive bullying behaviors, and (ii) internalizing problems and the engagement in victimization bullying behaviors. Participants were 669 Portuguese adolescents aged between 12 and 19 years. The Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales and the Scale of Interpersonal Behavior at School were used to assess social skills and the engagement in bullying behaviors, respectively. Boys scored higher on aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems. Girls reported higher scores on internalizing problems, communication, cooperation and empathy. Social skills differently mediated the association between behavior problems and engagement in bullying. While empathy negatively mediated the association between externalizing problems and aggressive bullying behaviors, assertiveness negatively mediated the relationship between internalizing problems and victimization bullying behaviors. The risk factors for engaging in bullying are discussed, and so are the protective ones, which may help to prevent bullying behaviors and reduce their negative impact.

“…Victimization disrupts adolescents’ emotional and social development [ 12 , 13 ] and it results in psychological distress and maladjustment [ 14 ]. These include depression and anxiety, which are common indicators of psychological distress [ 15 ]: Dodge [ 16 ] showed that over 70% of adolescent victims suffered from depression due to their helplessness and hopelessness experiences; Craig [ 2 ] reported a higher level of anxiety amongst adolescents who had been victimized; Richard et al [ 17 ] found that adolescents who had been victimized were very likely to be depressed and anxious; Stapinski et al [ 18 ] revealed that both depression and anxiety were negative emotional outcomes of adolescent victimization. Hsieh et al [ 10 ] further identified a positive relationship between victimization and different forms of psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatic symptoms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a meta-analysis of 81 empirical studies [ 46 ], depression was found to be a significant predictor of cyberbullying. Several research studies also revealed the positive relationship between depression and cyberbullying: Kırcaburun et al [ 47 ] showed that depression predicted cyberbullying; Martínez–Monteagudo et al [ 48 ] found that participants with higher levels of depression tended to display more cyberbullying behavior; Richard et al [ 17 ] reported that mental health problems such as depression and anxiety mediated the association between victimization and some problem behaviors including drinking, smoking, gambling, and drug use.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offline Victimization, Psychological Morbidity, and Problematic Online Behavior among Chinese Secondary School Students

Shek

2021

Despite the rise of child victimization in different societies, few researchers have examined its consequences in terms of psychological morbidity (such as depression and anxiety) and problematic online behavior (such as Internet addiction and cyberbullying) in a single study. Moreover, no study has investigated the role of psychological morbidity in mediating the impact of victimization on problematic online behavior (indexed by Internet addiction and cyberbullying) in a single model. Based on a survey of 2843 Chinese secondary students (49.3% male; Mage = 13.97) from six public secondary schools in Fujian, China, we found that experience of victimization was positively associated with depression and anxiety, as well as Internet addiction and cyberbullying. Depression mediated the links between victimization and both Internet addiction and cyberbullying, with the mediating effect on Internet addiction found to be stronger for girls. While anxiety did not mediate the association between victimization and cyberbullying, it mediated the relationship between victimization and Internet addiction in boys. These findings enrich our understanding of the negative outcomes of victimization, as well as directions for intervention.