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Moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents: The moderating role of empathy

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  • Liu, Jie
  • Han, Ziqiang
  • Ma, Xiao
  • Xin, Ruiping

Abstract

The correlation between adolescent moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration remains unclear to date. Using a representative sample of 4969 adolescents surveyed in Jiangsu Province, China, we investigated the association between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration, focusing on the mitigating effect of empathy. Our findings indicated that the majority of participants held high ethical standards and considered cyberbullying unacceptable. However, perpetrators often use moral disengagement as a way to justify their actions, leading to a correlation between moral disengagement and increased cyberbullying perpetration. Empathy was found to be a protective factor against cyberbullying. The correlation between moral disengagement and cyberbullying was reduced when empathy was taken into consideration in the analysis. Additionally, cyberbullying perpetration was more prevalent among boys than girls. These results suggest that efforts to reduce moral disengagement, especially among those with lower empathy, need to be conducted.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:155:y:2023:i:c:s0190740923003742
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107178
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ziqiang Han & Guirong Zhang & Haibo Zhang, 2017. "School Bullying in Urban China: Prevalence and Correlation with School Climate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Hu, Ran & Xue, Jia & Han, Ziqiang, 2021. "School bullying victimization and perpetration among Chinese adolescents: A latent class approach," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    3. 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.
    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. Chai, Lei & Xue, Jia & Han, Ziqiang, 2020. "School bullying victimization and self-rated health and life satisfaction: The gendered buffering effect of educational expectations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    6. Chai, Lei & Xue, Jia & Han, Ziqiang, 2020. "School bullying victimization and self-rated health and life satisfaction: The mediating effect of relationships with parents, teachers, and peers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
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    1. Gong, Zepeng & Tang, Zhiwei & Zhou, Jing & Han, Ziqiang & Zhang, Jingran, 2024. "A comparison of definitions of school bullying among students, parents, and teachers: An experimental study from China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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