The impact of complex trauma experiences on cyber delinquency among high school students: the mediating effects of depression and aggression

Objectives This study aims to verify the double mediating effects of depression and aggression in the relationship between complex trauma experiences and cyberdelinquency in high school students. Methods To this end, a self-report questionnaire was conducted online targeting high school students, and data from a total of 454 people were used for analysis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 to perform descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis of variables. In addition, AMOS 21.0 was used to verify the fit of the measurement model, perform bootstrapping, and verify the significance of the indirect effect. Finally, a multi-group analysis was conducted to verify gender differences. Results First, complex trauma experiences showed significant positive correlation with cyber delinquency, depression, and aggression. Second, the mediating effects of depression and aggression in the path from complex trauma experiences to cyber delinquency were not statistically significant. In other words, complex trauma experiences directly affected cyber delinquency without single or multiple mediation of depression and aggression. In addition, the results of the multi-group analysis by gender showed gender differences in the path model. Conclusions This study aims to verify the mediating role of complex trauma experience, depression, and aggression in adolescents cyber delinquency, thereby promoting healthy growth and development of adolescents and providing practical grounds for prevention and intervention of problem behaviors.