Cybervictimization and Adolescent Internet Addiction: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Previous research indicates that cybervictimization can lead to adolescent Internet addiction; however, there is a gap in the knowledge about the mediating and moderating variables facilitating this relationship. This study examines the role of rejection sensitivity as a mediator in this relationship and the role of parent-adolescent communication as a moderator for this mediation effect among Chinese adolescents. Participants were 1006 adolescents (M = 13.16 years, SD = 0.67), who completed the questionnaires anonymously. The questionnaires assessed the four variables of interest. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. The results show that the positive association between cybervictimization and adolescent Internet addiction is mediated by rejection sensitivity. Moreover, this indirect effect is stronger for adolescents with low parent-adolescent communication than for those with high parent-adolescent communication.

Keywords: adolescent; cybervictimization; internet addiction; parent–adolescent communication; rejection sensitivity.

Figure 1

The proposed mediated moderation model. Note: CV = Cybervictimization, PAC = parent–adolescent communication.

Figure 2

Mediation model of rejection sensitivity between cybervictimization and Internet addiction. Note: CV = cybervictimization. The values outside the brackets are unstandardized coefficients, those in parentheses are standard errors, and those in brackets are standardized coefficients. Paths between gender, age, impulsivity, and each of the variables in the model are not displayed. Of those paths, the following were significant: gender (b = −0.18, SE = 0.02, β = −0.41, t = −7.06, p < 0.01, 95% CI [−0.22, −0.13]), and impulsivity (b = 0.29, SE = 0.03, β = 0.27, t = 9.29, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.23, 0.36]) to rejection sensitivity; gender (b = 0.26, SE = 0.07, β = 0.21, t = 3.60, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.12, 0.40]), and impulsivity (b = 0.79, SE = 0.09, β = 0.25, t = 8.49, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.61, 0.98]) to Internet addiction. ** p < 0.01.

Figure 3

Model of the moderating role of parent–adolescent communication on the indirect relationship between Cybervictimization and Internet addiction. Note: CV = cybervictimization, PAC = parent–adolescent communication. The values outside the brackets are unstandardized coefficients, those in parentheses are standard errors, and those in brackets are standardized coefficients. Paths between gender, age, impulsivity, and each of the variables in the model are not displayed. Of those paths, the following were significant: gender (b = −0.18, SE = 0.02, β = −0.41, t = −7.23, p < 0.01, 95% CI [−0.23, −0.13]), and impulsivity (b = 0.28, SE = 0.03, β = 0.26, t = 8.29, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.21, 0.34]) to rejection sensitivity; gender (b = 0.26, SE = 0.07, β = 0.21, t = 3.59, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.12, 0.40]), and impulsivity (b = 0.74, SE = 0.10, β = 0.24, t = 7.63, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.55, 0.93]) to Internet addiction. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.

Figure 4

Rejection sensitivity among adolescents as a function of cybervictimization and parent–adolescent communication. Note: CV = cybervictimization, PAC = parent–adolescent communication.

Figure 5

Internet addiction among adolescents as a function of rejection sensitivity and parent–adolescent communication. Note: CV = cybervictimization, PAC = parent–adolescent communication.