Exploring the Nexus: TikTok cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, and sex differences among young adults

The increasing use of social media platforms such as TikTok among young adults has raised concerns about the potential associations between cyberbullying and psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Drawing on Social Cognitive Theory, which emphasises the reciprocal interaction between environmental experiences, cognitive processes, and psychological outcomes, the present study examines whether anxiety and depression function as internalising mechanisms linking cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation to life satisfaction. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 253 university students completed online questionnaires measuring cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation, anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. Regression-based mediation analyses using bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals indicated that anxiety and depression statistically mediated the associations between cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation and life satisfaction. Significant differences in cyberbullying involvement were observed across age and time spent on TikTok, whereas no sex differences emerged. By testing indirect pathways within the context of an algorithmically curated platform, this study extends predominantly adolescent-focused cyberbullying research and provides insight into how online interpersonal adversity may shape subjective well-being among adult users. These findings emphasise the necessity of interventions that educate individuals about the psychological correlates of cyberbullying, and those that can equip users with strategies to manage anxiety and depressive symptoms related to social media use. Targeting these internalising mechanisms may assist in mitigating the impact of online interpersonal adversity on life satisfaction among adult TikTok users, and social media users more broadly. • TikTok cyberbullying is associated with reduced life satisfaction among young adults. • Anxiety and depression mediate the association between cyberbullying and life satisfaction. • Spending 3+ hours daily on TikTok significantly predicts cyberbullying perpetration. • Age is positively associated with both cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation on TikTok. • No significant sex differences in cyberbullying involvement were observed in this adult sample.