Cybervictimization and Depressive Symptoms in Middle School Students: The Role of Peer Alienation and Belief in a Just World

ABSTRACT Cybervictimization is a salient stressor in adolescents' lives and has been demonstrated to be strongly associated with depressive symptoms. However, the mechanisms underlying this association have not been sufficiently studied. Building on the diathesis–stress model and co‐construction theory, this study investigated the mediating role of peer alienation in the relationship between cybervictimization and adolescents' depressive symptoms, and the moderating role of personal belief in a just world (BJW) on the mediating process of peer alienation. A sample of 1656 adolescents completed questionnaires regarding demographics, cybervictimization, depressive symptoms, peer alienation, and personal BJW. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between cybervictimization and depressive symptoms. Peer alienation partially explained the indirect association between cybervictimization and depressive symptoms (indirect effect = 0.11, 95% CI = [0.09, 0.13]). Personal BJW not only moderated the direct link between cybervictimization and depressive symptoms, with the effect being significant only for adolescents with low levels of personal BJW, but also moderated the indirect link from cybervictimization to depressive symptoms through peer alienation, with the association being much more potent for adolescents with high levels of personal BJW. The results have certain significance for the prevention and intervention of depression in adolescents, especially for those being cybervictimized.