Disentangling the relation between emotion regulation strategies and cybervictimization: Prospective effects and the intervening role of blaming others among adolescents.

Abstract

Background From the perspective of Positive Psychology and the ecological framework, multiple individual resources are considered to reduce the extent to which individuals experience victimization as a result of cyberbullying. However, little is still known about how emotional resources relate to cybervictimization processes and, more specifically, how emotion regulation strategies can contribute to its trajectory over time during adolescence. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine the incremental validity of cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies in the prospective associations of cybervictimization in a sample of adolescents. Method A final sample of 841 adolescents (375 males; M= 13.71; SD= 1.31) completed the measures on cybervictimization and CER strategies (Wave 1) and on cybervictimization four months later (Wave 2). Results The findings showed that blaming others was the unique (maladaptive) strategy in contributing prospectively to cybervictimization after controlling for previous experiences of cybervictimization. Conclusion Although future longitudinal research should examine how specific adaptive and maladaptive CER strategies are involved in the development and maintenance of cybervictimization and its negative effects on adolescents’ well-being, this study supports the specific contribution of some CER strategies as key factors for intervention initiatives targeting online victimization over time.