Cross-lagged analysis of cyberbullying and cybervictimization: The critical roles of resistance to peer pressure and online socializing among adolescents

The aim of this three-wave longitudinal study was to examine associations among cyberbullying, cybervictimization, resistance to peer pressure, and online socializing among Canadian adolescents. A total of 378 adolescents (192 boys; Mage = 13.02 years, SD = 0.71 year) from Southern British Columbia participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data over a period of three years. Results indicated that resistance to peer pressure at Time 1 predicted lower levels of reported engagement in cyberbullying behavior and fewer reported experiences of cybervictimization at Time 2. In addition, resistance to peer pressure at Time 2 predicted fewer experiences of cybervictimization at Time 3. Finally, a significant reciprocal association was found between cybervictimization and online socializing from Time 1 to Time 2, and online socializing at Time 2 predicted cybervictimization at Time 3. For implications, empirically informed educational programs on resistance to peer pressure and with proper content targeting time spent online and online socializing are recommended.