Mindfulness Moderates the Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Cyber Aggression Among Emerging Adults...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Prior research links perceived discrimination to emotional problems in left-behind youth.
• Limited longitudinal data exists on perceived discrimination's impact on behavioral issues, especially cyber aggression, in emerging adults with early left-behind experiences.
• Individual differences, such as mindfulness, may moderate this association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the longitudinal effect of perceived discrimination on cyber aggression in emerging adults with early left-behind experience.
• To investigate the moderating role of mindfulness in the relationship between perceived discrimination and cyber aggression.
• To apply the social information processing model of aggression.

Main Methods:

• Two-wave longitudinal panel data from 535 emerging adults (mean age 19.89) in rural China.
• Hierarchical multiple regression and simple slope test analyses were employed.
• Mindfulness was assessed as a potential moderator.

Main Results:

• Higher perceived discrimination at T1 significantly predicted higher cyber aggression at T2.
• Mindfulness significantly buffered the association between perceived discrimination and cyber aggression over time.
• The findings support the moderating effect of mindfulness.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness training may be an effective intervention to mitigate cyber aggression risk.
• Interventions should consider the interplay of perceived discrimination, mindfulness, and cyber aggression in vulnerable populations.
• Addressing cyber aggression in emerging adults with early left-behind experiences requires a focus on psychological resilience and coping mechanisms.