Coping skills and perceived stress as pathways to well-being in adolescents experiencing cyber-victimization

Abstract

Adolescents experiencing high levels of cyber-victimization may suffer from reduced well-being. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal factors that can increase the well-being of adolescents who experience cyber-victimization. This study examined the mediating effects of perceived stress and coping skills in the relationship between cyber-victimization and well-being. Participants consisted of 543 high school students (45.7% boys, 54.3% girls; Mage = 15.59). Results indicate that cyber-victimization was related to lower well-being through perceived stress, problem solving, and cognitive avoidance. In addition, behavioral avoidance and help-seeking did not play a mediating role in the impact of cyber-victimization on well-being. Lastly, indirect effects tests supported a pathway from cyber-victimization to well-being through perceived stress, problem-solving, and cognitive avoidance. These results improve our understanding of the underlying mechanism between cyber-victimization and well-being by considering the roles of perceived stress and coping skills.