The Mediating Role of Depression and Self-Esteem in the Transition from Victimization to Perpetration in Bullying and Cyberbullying Among Adolescents

The interplay between victimization and perpetration in bullying and cyberbullying, as well as the underlying psychological factors, are puzzling and underexplored in female adolescents. This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between these roles, considering depression and self-esteem as mediators. A total of 751 Colombian adolescent girls (M = 13.71, SD = 1.897) participated. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the EBIP-Q Bullying Questionnaire, and the ECIP-Q Cyberbullying Questionnaire were administered. Depression was directly related to victimization and aggression, while self-esteem was inversely related. Path analysis revealed that bullying and cyberbullying victimization explained 10% of the variance in self-esteem and together explained 64% of depression. Bullying and cyberbullying victimization in interaction with depression and self-esteem explained 26% of bullying aggression and 24% of cyberbullying aggression. Additionally, depression and self-esteem mediated the association between victimization and aggression in cyberbullying and bullying aggression. The results clarify the role of changes in bullying and cyberbullying dynamics, as well as the mediating influence of depression and self-esteem. These findings are useful for designing interventions in clinical and educational settings

Aggression · Depression (economics · Injury prevention · Poison control · Psychological intervention · Suicide prevention · China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Economic, financial, and policy analysis · Human Factors and Ergonomics