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Description
Maladaptive daydreaming (MD) is characterized by excessive, immersive fantasizing that interferes with daily functioning. This study investigates the relationship between MD and cybervictimization among adolescents, examining the mediating roles of social media addiction (SMA) and game addiction (GA). Given the increasing prevalence of cybervictimization and its profound psychological impacts, identifying underlying psychological factors is crucial for effective intervention.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,216 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years (M = 14.81, SD = 1.79). Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing maladaptive daydreaming, social media addiction, game addiction, and experiences of cybervictimization. Path analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships, controlling for age and gender.
Results indicated that MD was positively associated with both SMA (β = 0.355, p < .001) and GA (β = 0.275, p < .001). SMA, in turn, was strongly associated with cybervictimization (β = 0.812, p < .001), mediating the relationship between MD and cybervictimization. The direct effect of MD on cybervictimization remained significant (β = 0.046, p = .009). However, GA did not significantly predict cybervictimization (β = –0.014, p = .419) and did not serve as a mediator.
These findings highlight SMA as a key pathway through which MD contributes to cybervictimization in adolescents. The lack of a significant mediating effect of GA suggests that social media platforms pose a greater risk for cybervictimization among maladaptive daydreamers than gaming environments. Interventions targeting SMA in adolescents with high levels of MD may reduce their vulnerability to cybervictimization.
Keywords
maladaptive daydreaming, cybervictimization, social media addiction, game addiction, adolescent risk factors
| Please indicate what type of scientific contribution it is | Quantitative method study |
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| Please also indicate what kind of contribution it is: | Scientific |
