Structural relationship among aggression, depression, smartphone dependency, and cyberbullying perpetration

This study aims to examine the structural relationship between aggression, depression, smartphone dependency, and cyberbullying perpetration in youth and explores gender differences in that relationship. We analyzed the 2nd wave data of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018 for middle school students. Structural equation modeling results showed that smartphone dependency partially mediated the relationship between aggression and cyberbullying perpetration (β = 0.050, p < 0.01). In contrast, smartphone dependency fully mediated the relationship between depression and cyberbullying perpetration (β = 0.029, p < 0.01). Aggression, depression, and smartphone dependency are the main predictors of cyberbullying perpetration. The effects of aggression and depression on cyberbullying perpetration were different through the mediator variable of smartphone dependency. The positive effect of aggression on smartphone dependency was twice greater in girls (Boys, B = 0.222, p < 0.001; Girls, B = 0.497, p < 0.001), and that of depression on smartphone dependency was three times greater in boys (Boys, B = 0.308, p < 0.001; Girls, B = 0.097, p < 0.05). These results were interpreted as reflecting the boys’ emotional suppression. Adolescent boys tend to suppress depression more than to express it according to the process of masculine emotional socialization. Various educational interventions are needed, such as providing cognitive behavioral therapy to convert adolescents’ relational aggression into a sound coping method considering girls’ sensitivity to relationships. Based on the findings, we present field-oriented practical considerations for improving our understanding of cyberbullying and preventing cyberbullying perpetration.