Psychiatry Investig.  2025 Jan;22(1):47-56. 10.30773/pi.2024.0127.

The Moderating Effect of Internet Ethics on the Relationship Between Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration Among Korean Adults

• Park SR
• Bae SM

• KMID: 2563900
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2024.0127

Abstract

Objective
Cyberbullying is increasing every year and poses a serious problem worldwide; although the rate of adult cyberbullying is increasing every year, still cyberbullying studies mainly focused on youths. This study examined the moderating effect of Internet ethics on the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration among adults.
Methods
An online self-report survey was conducted with 601 participants aged 20 to 59. A final total of 593 participants were included in the analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Internet Ethics Scale was performed using AMOS 22.0, and the moderating effect was verified using PROCESS Macro v3.5.
Results
First, cyberbullying victimization was found to positively predict perpetration. These results indicate that the higher the cyberbullying victim experience, the more the cyberbullying behavior increases. Second, the moderating effect of Internet ethics on the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration was significant. Third, in the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, the moderating effects of respect, responsibility, justice, and non-maleficence, which are subfactors of Internet ethics, were found to be significant.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated the preventive effect of Internet ethics on the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration among adults. Based on this, a theoretical basis for the intervention of education and programs for adult cyberbullying prevention was provided.

Keyword

Adult cyberbullying; Cyberbullying victimization; Cyberbullying perpetration; Internet ethics; Moderating effect