Kicking the digital dog: a longitudinal investigation of young adults' victimization and cyber-displaced aggression

Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2012 Sep;15(9):448-54. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0061.

Abstract

Using the general strain theory as a theoretical framework, the present longitudinal study investigated both face-to-face and cyber victimization in relation to cyber-displaced aggression. Longitudinal data were collected from 130 (70 women) young adults who completed measures assessing their victimization (face-to-face and cyber), cyber aggression, and both face-to-face and cyber-displaced aggression. Findings indicated that victimization in both social contexts (face-to-face and cyber) contributed to cyber-displaced aggression 6 months later (Time 2), after controlling for gender, cyber aggression, face-to-face displaced aggression, and cyber-displaced aggression at Time 1. A significant two-way interaction revealed that Time 1 cyber victimization was more strongly related to Time 2 cyber-displaced aggression when young adults had higher levels of face-to-face victimization at Time 1. Implications of these findings are discussed as well as a call for more research investigating displaced aggression in the cyber context.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Bullying / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Peer Group
  • Social Environment