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Moral Disengagement, Empathy, and Cybervictim’s Representation as Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying among Italian Adolescents

Author

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  • Maria Lidia Mascia

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Mirian Agus

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Maria Assunta Zanetti

    (Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Maria Luisa Pedditzi

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Dolores Rollo

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Mirko Lasio

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Maria Pietronilla Penna

    (Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, Faculty of Humanistic Studies, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate which aspects of moral disengagement (MD), empathy, and representations of the victim’s experience (VER) could be predictors of cyberbullying (CB). One hundred and eight-nine students (11–17 years old) completed 3 self-report questionnaires: An MD scale, an empathy scale, and a CB questionnaire. In relation to the personal experience of CB, four groups were identified: Victim, bully, bully/victim, and no experience with CB. The linear bivariate correlation analysis shows correlations between empathy and VER, between empathy and MD, and between MD and VER. A multinomial logistic regression identified which predictors could increase a subject’s probability of belonging to one of the four groups regarding the personal experience of CB (victim, bully, bully/victim, no experience). Findings highlighted that low cognitive empathy might increase the probability for a student to belong to the bullies’ group, rather than the victims’ group. Furthermore, low perception of the consequences of CB on the victim might increase the probability of belonging to the bully, bully/victim, and no experience groups. Then, a high score in the diffusion of responsibility was a significant predictor of belonging to the victim group rather than the no experience group. Results from this study confirm the need for preventive measures against CB, including the empowerment of cognitive empathy, decreasing the diffusion of responsibility, and increasing the awareness of the consequences of CB on the victim.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Lidia Mascia & Mirian Agus & Maria Assunta Zanetti & Maria Luisa Pedditzi & Dolores Rollo & Mirko Lasio & Maria Pietronilla Penna, 2021. "Moral Disengagement, Empathy, and Cybervictim’s Representation as Predictive Factors of Cyberbullying among Italian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1266-:d:490349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Lin & Ngai, Steven Sek-yum, 2020. "The effects of anonymity, invisibility, asynchrony, and moral disengagement on cyberbullying perpetration among school-aged children in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Jie & Han, Ziqiang & Ma, Xiao & Xin, Ruiping, 2023. "Moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents: The moderating role of empathy," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    2. Ildefonso Álvarez-Marín & Alicia Pérez-Albéniz & Beatriz Lucas-Molina & Vanesa Martínez-Valderrey & Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero, 2022. "Assessing Cyberbullying in Adolescence: New Evidence for the Spanish Version of the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIP-Q)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Mariana Lopes de Sousa & Maria Manuela Peixoto & Sara Figueiredo Cruz, 2021. "The Association between Externalizing and Internalizing Problems with Bullying Engagement in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Social Skills," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, October.

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