Adolescents involved in experiences of cybervictimization and cyberbullying are
at increased risk of psychological maladjustment and ill-being. However, not all
adolescents involved in cyberbullying roles experience similar consequences and
cognitive emotion regulation (CER) might be a key factor. Despite growing interest in the
role CER strategies play in cyberbullying behaviours, little is known about the predictive
utility of these strategies in predicting cybervictimization and cyberbullying over time.
Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to test the incremental predictive
validity of specific CER strategies in cybervictimization and cyberbullying in a sample
of adolescents. To this end, data were collected in two waves four months apart from
a sample of 841 adolescents (466 females) aged 12 to 18 (MageT1 = 13.77, SDT1 = 1.34;
MageT2 = 13.71, SDT2 = 1.31). Participants filled out a set of questionnaires measuring
cybervictimization, cyberbullying, and CER strategies. Main results showed blaming
others as the unique strategy showing incremental predictive value to both
cybervictimization and cyberbullying four months later, above and beyond previous
cybervictimization and cyberbullying experiences. Overall, the results highlighted the
need to account for CER strategies, such as blaming others, in relation to the potential
initiation and development of cyberbullying and cybervictimization behaviours. These
findings suggest possible future avenues for intervention efforts targeting the
maintenance of online aggressive behaviours and victimization across time.
