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Associations Between Peer Victimization and Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents: Humor Makes a Difference
Xintong Zheng1, Jianwen Chen1, Quanlei Yu2,3,4
1Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|February 1, 2023
Summary
Peer victimization increases problematic Internet use (PIU) in adolescents, with depression acting as a mediator. High humor can buffer this effect, offering a new prevention perspective for PIU.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Internet Studies
Background:
- Problematic Internet use (PIU) is a growing concern among adolescents.
- Peer victimization is a significant stressor linked to adolescent mental health issues.
- The mechanisms connecting peer victimization to PIU require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating role of depression in the relationship between peer victimization and PIU.
- To examine the moderating effect of humor on this pathway.
- To understand the conditions under which peer victimization escalates PIU risk.
Main Methods:
- Survey research involving 469 middle school students.
- Assessment of peer victimization, depression, humor, and PIU using validated questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis including mediation and moderated mediation models.
Main Results:
- Depression was found to partially mediate the link between peer victimization and PIU.
- Humor moderated the indirect effect, acting as a reverse stress-buffer: high humor strengthened the peer victimization-depression link but weakened the depression-PIU link.
- Findings align with general strain theory and stress-buffering models.
Conclusions:
- Depression partially explains how peer victimization leads to PIU in adolescents.
- Humor plays a complex, dual role in mitigating the negative impact of peer victimization on PIU.
- Results offer insights for developing targeted interventions to prevent PIU among vulnerable adolescents.
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