Growing Up in Adversity: A Moderated Mediation Model of Family Conflict, Cyberbullying Perpetration, Making Sense of Adversity and Depression

Abstract

Although family conflict is recognized as a detrimental factor for adolescents’ depression, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigates the mediating effect of cyberbullying perpetration and the moderating effect of making sense of adversity in this association. A sample of 814 Chinese adolescents (Mean age = 16.79 years) from Zhejiang province, China, is collected through multi-stage cluster random sampling. The moderated mediation model is performed by SPSS macro PROCESS. The results illustrate that cyberbullying perpetration partially mediates the relationship between family conflict and depression. In addition, the effects of family conflict on cyberbullying perpetration and depression are moderated by making sense of adversity, with the impact being weaker for adolescents with high making sense of adversity than for those with low making sense of adversity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the influencing path from family conflict to depression, as well as the significance of making sense of adversity in Chinese culture. The need for policy development and family intervention to improve adolescents’ mental health are emphasized.

Validation of the Chinese version of the adverse life experiences scale

“…Studies among Chinese participants (including Hong Kong) have found that children who have experienced poverty show greater resilience, more positive beliefs and behaviors in the face of adversity ( 39 , 40 ). Furthermore, in Chinese family, virtues of harmony and endurance are underscored, which would help children cope with family conflict ( 41 , 42 ). Research suggests that balanced sibling relationships, including both conflict and support, are associated with the better social-emotional skills.…”