Studies have shown the relationships among cybervictimization, coping strategies, and depression, but no study has examined the mechanism that links the three variables. Accordingly, this study used the transactional model of stress and coping theory as a conceptual framework and proposed that coping strategies are mediators for the effects of cybervictimization on depression. A total of 387 adolescents were recruited by using the purposive sampling method. The results showed that cybervictimization is not directly associated with depression. All the coping strategies are found to be associated with cybervictimization, but only the avoidant coping strategy is the statistical mediator for the effects of cybervictimization on depression. This study’s findings suggest that the transactional model of stress and coping theory may provide a framework in the area of cyberbullying and recommend more actions to be taken in order to reduce the use of avoidance coping strategies among victims of cyberbullying.

Studies found that smartphone addiction is relevant to the personality of smartphone users, especially the extroverts and introverts. However, the findings of the associations between extroverts/introverts and smartphone addiction are not consistent, and it is suggested that the inconsistency results can be relevant to the types of smartphone use. Accordingly, this study adopts the use and gratification theory as a framework to examine the relationships among extroverts/introverts, smartphone addiction, and the types of smartphone use, and the mediating effect of the types of smartphone use in the relationships between extroverts/introverts and smartphone addiction. Three hundred eighteen undergraduates were recruited to fill in a questionnaire using the purposive sampling method. Results show that both introverts and extroverts are associated with smartphone addiction. However, introverts are more likely to use smartphones for process usage but extroverts for social usage. In addition, process usage but not social usage is positively associated with smartphone addiction. Moreover, only process usage is the statistical mediator for the effects of introverts on smartphone addiction. The findings indicate that intervention programs can be developed to provide more alternative activities to reduce the dependence on smartphones among introverts to gratify their process needs.