Developmental pathway from associating with antisocial peers to cyber and traditional bullying.

Abstract

Objective: In consideration of the adverse effects of cyber and traditional bullying on adolescents' development, many studies have developed preventive interventions that attenuate bullying experiences. However, studies have neglected to assess the process in which associating with antisocial peers could longitudinally predict traditional bullying behavior through cyberbullying. Thus, the present study utilized social learning theory to investigate (a) the direct link between associating with antisocial peers and traditional bullying perpetration and (b) tested the mediating pathways in which associating with antisocial peers predicts traditional bullying perpetration through cyberbullying while controlling for age, depressive symptoms, family support, gender, impulsivity, and race.

Method: Participants were 1,130 adolescents who completed questionnaires at baseline and were assessed 6 months later.

Results: After controlling for relevant variables, direct results suggested associating with antisocial peers increases the risk of traditional bullying perpetration. Mediation results indicated that as adolescents associated with antisocial peers, they were more likely to engage in cyberbullying, consequently leading to traditional bullying perpetration.

Conclusion: These results suggest that associating with antisocial peers has long-term consequences, including online and in-person aggression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).