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Offline Victimization, Psychological Morbidity, and Problematic Online Behavior among Chinese Secondary School Students

Author

Listed:
  • Xiang Li

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Daniel T. L. Shek

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

  • Esther Y. W. Shek

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Despite the rise of child victimization in different societies, few researchers have examined its consequences in terms of psychological morbidity (such as depression and anxiety) and problematic online behavior (such as Internet addiction and cyberbullying) in a single study. Moreover, no study has investigated the role of psychological morbidity in mediating the impact of victimization on problematic online behavior (indexed by Internet addiction and cyberbullying) in a single model. Based on a survey of 2843 Chinese secondary students (49.3% male; Mage = 13.97) from six public secondary schools in Fujian, China, we found that experience of victimization was positively associated with depression and anxiety, as well as Internet addiction and cyberbullying. Depression mediated the links between victimization and both Internet addiction and cyberbullying, with the mediating effect on Internet addiction found to be stronger for girls. While anxiety did not mediate the association between victimization and cyberbullying, it mediated the relationship between victimization and Internet addiction in boys. These findings enrich our understanding of the negative outcomes of victimization, as well as directions for intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang Li & Daniel T. L. Shek & Esther Y. W. Shek, 2021. "Offline Victimization, Psychological Morbidity, and Problematic Online Behavior among Chinese Secondary School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9462-:d:631357
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wong, Dennis S.W. & Chan, Heng Choon (Oliver) & Cheng, Christopher H.K., 2014. "Cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescents in Hong Kong," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 133-140.
    2. Zheng Zhou & Daniel T.L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu & Diya Dou, 2020. "Positive Youth Development and Adolescent Depression: A Longitudinal Study Based on Mainland Chinese High School Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    3. Zhao, Haiyan & Li, Xiaofei & Zhou, Jianxiang & Nie, Qingqing & Zhou, Jianhua, 2020. "The relationship between bullying victimization and online game addiction among Chinese early adolescents: The potential role of meaning in life and gender differences," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Liu, Qing-Qi & Yang, Xiu-Juan & Hu, Yu-Ting & Zhang, Chen-Yan, 2020. "Peer victimization, self-compassion, gender and adolescent mobile phone addiction: Unique and interactive effects," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
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