Cyber victimization experience, uncertainty stress, and internet self-efficacy as predictors of negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents: a moderated mediation model

Background The prevalence of cyberbullying has become an alarming social issue among adolescents and has brought about a variety of negative outcomes on adolescents’ mental health. Bystanders’ behavior has been shown to be related to the outcomes of cyberbullying incidents. Although previous studies have demonstrated cyber victimization experience as a vital predictor of negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying, the underlying mechanism of the relationship between the two remains relatively unclear. This study investigated the association between cyber victimization experience and negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents and the role of uncertainty stress and internet self-efficacy underlying this relationship. Methods A total of 826 Chinese high school students ( M _age =15.82 years, SD _age =0.68, 49.88% female) completed the Cyber Victimization Scale, the Uncertainty Stress Scale, the Internet Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the subscale of the Bystander Behavioral Intention Questionnaire in Cyberbullying. Moderated mediation effect analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Results The results revealed a significant positive correlation between cyber victimization experience and negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents. Uncertainty stress mediated the relationship between cyber victimization experience and negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying, whereas internet self-efficacy moderated the latter half of the mediation pathway. Specifically, compared to adolescents with higher internet self-efficacy, the association between uncertainty stress and negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying is greater for adolescents with lower internet self-efficacy. Conclusions These findings broaden our understanding of the psychological processes that underlie the association between cyber victimization experience and negative bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents and provide practical guidance on reducing the risks of cyberbullying.