Association between victimization and perpetration of cyberhate: The moderating role of social dominance orientation.

Introduction: Expressions of cyberhate motivated by characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, and religious beliefs are now present and prevalent on social networks. Past research, both in online and offline contexts, has identified that, although there may be an overlap between victims and perpetrators of violence; this is not always the case. Nevertheless, the number of studies focused on variables that moderate the relation between victimization and perpetration is still low. The current study aims at analyzing the relation between cyberhate victimization and perpetration and the potential moderating role of social dominance on this relation.

Method: During the 2019/2020 school year in Andalusia, Spain, a prospective longitudinal study was implemented. The study used a representative sample of 1498 adolescents enrolled in compulsory secondary education in the first wave (51.8% female; Mage = 13.58) and 1195 adolescents in the second wave (53.2% female; Mage = 14.04). Surveys administrated to adolescents were used for data collection.

Results: The findings revealed a positive correlation between cyberhate victimization and perpetration. They supported the notion that social dominance not only predicted the perpetration of cyberhate several months later, but also its moderating effect on the relation between cyberhate victimization and perpetration. Cyberhate victims who reported higher levels of social dominance were more likely to become perpetrators several months later.

Conclusion: Results suggest the need to implement preventive programs considering the influence of social dominance. These strategies could promote social equality and help to interrupt the cycle in which victims can become perpetrators of cyberhate.