The two faces of victimization: A Cross‐lagged panel network analysis of adolescent bullying victimization, self‐stigma, and moral disengagement

Abstract This study aims to employ cross‐lagged panel network (CLPN) analysis to longitudinally explore the intricate and dynamic relational patterns both within and between the systems of self‐stigma and moral disengagement in adolescents who have experienced various forms of bullying. Adopting a two‐wave longitudinal design with a four‐month interval, the study involved 559 adolescents (39.54% female, 60.46% male; M age = 13.46, SD = 0.92). The network analysis revealed that, at both T1 and T2, emotional self‐stigma, blaming/dehumanizing the victim, and verbal bullying exhibited the highest expected influence (EI), indicating the establishment of a stable and central core within the adolescent psychological pathology network. The CLPN results further highlighted that verbal bullying displayed the strongest out‐EI, while cognitive self‐stigma demonstrated the strongest in‐EI. Additionally, two distinct pathological pathways emerged: relational bullying at T1 significantly predicted cognitive self‐stigma at T2 (internalizing pathway), while verbal bullying at T1 predicted cognitive restructuring at T2 (externalizing pathway). The study also illuminated the self‐sustaining nature of self‐stigma and moral disengagement, revealing a reciprocal feedback loop between these constructs. Notably, minimizing agency at T1 was found to negatively predict cognitive self‐stigma at T2, suggesting it serves as a temporary defense mechanism protecting victims from self‐depreciation. Overall, the findings underscore that bullying victimization triggers a complex, interconnected psychological system, emphasizing the importance of interventions grounded in psychological mechanisms, sequential strategies, and individualized approaches tailored to the specific types of bullying encountered by victims.