Although considerable research has shown that attachment is a protective factor for cyberbullying, little research has investigated the mechanisms underlying this relationship among college students. This study examined whether loneliness mediates the association between parental attachment and cyberbullying and whether this process is moderated by interdependent self. A sample of 1125 college students (M age = 19.14, SD age = 1.52 years) in China completed a questionnaire measuring parental attachment, cyberbullying, loneliness, and interdependent self. Loneliness partially mediated the relationship between parental attachment and cyberbullying. Moreover, the mediation effect of loneliness was moderated by interdependent self. A moderated mediation analysis further revealed that interdependent-self moderated the predictive effect of loneliness on cyberbullying. Specifically, the predictive effect of loneliness on cyberbullying was only significant among college students with low interdependent self. The study highlights the complex nature of the association between parental attachment and cyberbullying. These findings provide new perspectives for intervention and prevention of cyberbullying among college students.

Background Several studies have examined the relationship between celebrity worship and cosmetic surgery; however, few have discussed the mediating role of self-concept. To fill this research gap, the present study aims to examine the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and self-objectification in the association between celebrity worship and cosmetic surgery. Methods A sample of 1,089 Chinese undergraduates (Mage = 20.32; SDage = 2.60) completed measures of celebrity worship, actively considering cosmetic surgery, self-concept clarity, and self-objectification. Mediating effect analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Results The results showed that celebrity worship, cosmetic surgery consideration, and self-objectification were positively correlated, whereas self-concept clarity was negatively correlated with all three variables. Mediation analysis revealed that celebrity worship predicted consideration of cosmetic surgery not only directly but also through three indirect paths through the mediating role of (1) self-concept clarity, (2) self-objectification, and (3) the chain mediating role of self-concept clarity and self-objectification. Conclusions These findings broaden our understanding of the psychological processes that underlie the association between celebrity worship and considering cosmetic surgery and afford practical guidance on reducing the risks associated with cosmetic surgery.