Bullying Victimization and Problematic Internet Use Among Adolescents: The Role of Relative Deprivation and Anxiety

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine the relation between bullying victimization and problematic internet use among adolescents, as well as the mediating roles of relative deprivation and anxiety. A total of 742 adolescents (54.4% male, 45.6% female; Mage = 13 years old, SD = 0.63) reported their bullying victimization, relative deprivation, anxiety, and problematic internet use through questionnaires. Results indicated adolescents’ bullying victimization was positively associated with their problematic internet use, and adolescents’ relative deprivation and anxiety, respectively, mediated the association between bullying victimization and problematic internet use. Furthermore, bullying victimization was positively related to adolescents’ problematic internet use through the chain mediating effects of relative deprivation and anxiety. The findings revealed the correlates and possible mechanisms of adolescents’ problematic internet use development, practical implications, and future directions are discussed.