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Cyberbullying Following Cyber-Victimization Among Chinese Children: The Role of Moral Disengagement and Normative Beliefs About Aggression

Author

Listed:
  • Xiang Li

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Daniel T. L. Shek

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Esther Y. W. Shek

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Xintong Zhang

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

One unintended consequence of the widespread use of the Internet is the emergence of cyberbullying among children, which threatens their social and behavioral development. Recently, researchers have reported a positive relationship between cyber-victimization and cyberbullying in primary school children. While moral disengagement and normative beliefs about aggression predict cyberbullying, it is not clear whether they mediate the association between cyber-victimization and cyberbullying. To address this research gap, we performed a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,252 children (56.8% boys; mean age = 9.38) from 16 primary schools in Hong Kong, China. Results of structural equation modeling analyses demonstrated that moral disengagement and normative beliefs about aggression served as mediators in the association between cyber-victimization and cyberbullying. Cyber-victimization increased engagement in cyberbullying through higher moral disengagement and stronger normative beliefs about aggression. Gender differences also played a significant role, with cyber-victimized boys more likely to engage in online bullying activities. Overall, the findings contribute to our understanding the development of cyberbullying in children in a non-Western setting. These findings also have implications for developing and implementing intervention programs aimed at protecting children from cyberbullying. Limitations of the study are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang Li & Daniel T. L. Shek & Esther Y. W. Shek & Xintong Zhang, 2025. "Cyberbullying Following Cyber-Victimization Among Chinese Children: The Role of Moral Disengagement and Normative Beliefs About Aggression," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 731-752, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:20:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-025-10434-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-025-10434-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gao, Ling & Liu, Jiedi & Wang, Wei & Yang, Jiping & Wang, Pengcheng & Wang, Xingchao, 2020. "Moral disengagement and adolescents’ cyberbullying perpetration: Student-student relationship and gender as moderators," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. 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).
    3. Nan Yin, 2018. "The influencing outcomes of job engagement: an interpretation from the social exchange theory," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 67(5), pages 873-889, June.
    4. Marín-López, Inmaculada & Zych, Izabela & Ortega-Ruiz, Rosario & Monks, Claire P. & Llorent, Vicente J., 2020. "Empathy online and moral disengagement through technology as longitudinal predictors of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    5. Adriana ZAIT & Patricea Elena BERTEA, 2011. "Methods For Testing Discriminant Validity," Management and Marketing Journal, University of Craiova, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 0(2), pages 217-224, November.
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