Emotional Dependence and Partner Cyber Abuse through Social Networks in Spanish University Students

Abstract

The cyber abuse of a partner in young people is increasingly normalized and is associated with maladaptive relational patterns. Objective: Analyze the relationship between emotional dependence and control of the partner through social networks in the sentimental relationships of young people. Methods: 627 Spanish university students with an age range between 18 and 26 years (M = 21.27; SD = 1.72) participated in this study. Participants were evaluated in emotional dependence, risk of addiction to social networks, and cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Results: Significant and positive relations were obtained among emotional dependence, cyber-control and victimization of online aggression. Likewise, it was found that boys exercised more control online towards their partners and that girls with emotional dependence had greater risk of addiction to new technologies. Conclusions: The link between emotional dependence and cyber-abuse in the couple is established, so that the need to promote proposals for prevention and psychosocial intervention is emphasized