Parenting styles, cyberaggression, and cybervictimization among adolescents

Abstract

Social concern about the negative effects of cyberbullying in children and adolescents’ psychosocial development is currently increasing. The importance of the family environment and factors in bullying has been highlighted, but little is known about the role of parenting styles in adolescents' engagement in cyberaggression and cybervictimization. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships of parenting styles (authoritative, indulgent, authoritarian, and neglectful) and cyberbullying (cybervictimization and cyberaggression) in adolescents, also considering sex and age. Participants were 2399 Spanish adolescents, 50.2% boys, aged between 12 and 18 years old (Mage = 14.69, SDage = 1.82). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA, 4 × 2 × 2) was performed, with parenting styles, sex, and age (12–14 years and 15–18 years) as independent variables and cybervictimization and cyberaggression as criteria. Possible interaction effects were also analyzed. Results showed main effects of parenting styles, sex, and age, as well as an interaction effect between sex and parenting styles. Girls suffered more cybervictimization than boys, whereas boys performed higher levels of cyberaggression than girls. Results suggested that authoritarian parenting style was a risk factor for cyberviolence. Girls from authoritarian families scored highest on cybervictimization. Boys from indulgent families were less involved in cybervictimization. These findings highlight the importance of establishing positive and open communication between parents and adolescents. The implications are discussed.