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Cyberbullying Victimization and Adolescent Depression: The Mediating Role of Psychological Security and the Moderating Role of Growth Mindset

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  • Gengfeng Niu

    (School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China
    Center for Research on Internet Literacy and Behavior, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Jing He

    (School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Shanyan Lin

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

  • Xiaojun Sun

    (School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
    Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior (CCNU), Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China
    Center for Research on Internet Literacy and Behavior, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)

  • Claudio Longobardi

    (Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the mechanisms (the mediating role of psychological security and the moderating role of growth mindset) underlying the association between cyberbullying victimization and depression among adolescents. A sample of 755 adolescents (M age = 13.35 ± 1.02; 373 boys) was recruited from two junior high schools, and the participants were asked to voluntarily complete a set of measures, including the cyberbullying victimization subscale in the Chinese version of the Cyberbullying Inventory, the Chinese version of the Security Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Growth Mindset Inventory. The results indicated that: (1) cyberbullying victimization was positively associated with depression through the mediating effect of psychological security and (2) both the direct association between cyberbullying victimization and depression and the indirect association through the mediating effect of psychological security were moderated by growth mindset. Specifically, growth mindset could significantly alleviate the adverse effects of cyberbullying victimization on psychological security and on depression. These findings not only shed light on the mechanisms linking cyberbullying victimization to depression among adolescents, but also provide an empirical basis for formulating prevention and/or intervention programs aimed at reducing depression levels and the negative influences of cyberbullying victimization among adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Gengfeng Niu & Jing He & Shanyan Lin & Xiaojun Sun & Claudio Longobardi, 2020. "Cyberbullying Victimization and Adolescent Depression: The Mediating Role of Psychological Security and the Moderating Role of Growth Mindset," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:12:p:4368-:d:373119
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yujuan Gao & Derek Hu & Evan Peng & Cody Abbey & Yue Ma & Chyi-In Wu & Chia-Yuan Chang & Wei-Ting Hung & Scott Rozelle, 2020. "Depressive Symptoms and the Link with Academic Performance among Rural Taiwanese Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Sheng Zhang & Meiqian Gong & Wenyan Li & Wanxin Wang & Ruipeng Wu & Lan Guo & Ciyong Lu, 2020. "Patterns of Bullying Victimization and Associations with Mental Health Problems in Chinese Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Peng, Wenya & Li, Dongping & Li, Xian & Jia, Jichao & Wang, Yanhui & Xiao, Jiale, 2020. "Peer victimization and adolescents’ suicidal ideation and suicide attempts: A moderated mediation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    4. Xiao-Wei Chu & Cui-Ying Fan & Qing-Qi Liu & Zong-Kui Zhou, 2019. "Rumination Mediates and Moderates the Relationship between Bullying Victimization and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Early Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(5), pages 1549-1566, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cătălina Radu & Alecxandrina Deaconu & Iudith-Anci Kis & Adela Jansen & Sorina Ioana Mișu, 2023. "New Ways to Perform: Employees’ Perspective on Remote Work and Psychological Security in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Yunjun Hu & Lingling Shu & Huilin Zhang & Chen Wang & Chengfu Yu & Guanyu Cui, 2022. "Perceived Epidemic Risk and Depression Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Security and the Moderation Role of Perceived Discrimination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Xi Zhang & Ziqiang Han & Zhanlong Ba, 2020. "Cyberbullying Involvement and Psychological Distress among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effects of Family Cohesion and School Cohesion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Poh Chua Siah & Xiang Yi Tee & Joanna Tjin Ai Tan & Chee Seng Tan & Komathi Lokithasan & Sew Kim Low & Chin Choo Yap, 2022. "Cybervictimization and Depression among Adolescents: Coping Strategies as Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-16, March.
    5. Xiaojun Sun & Liangshuang Yao & Gengfeng Niu & Shanyan Lin, 2021. "The Moderating Role of Deviant Peer Affiliation in the Relation between Cyber-Victimization, Tobacco and Alcohol Use, and Age Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
    6. Gengfeng Niu & Siyu Jin & Fang Xu & Shanyan Lin & Zongkui Zhou & Claudio Longobardi, 2022. "Relational Victimization and Video Game Addiction among Female College Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Parasocial Relationship," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.

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