Testing the Direct and Indirect Relationship Between Media Violence Exposure and Cyberbullying Perpetration

A recent burgeoning of research has examined the relationship between media violence exposure and cyberbullying perpetration. Some findings indicate the relationship between these two variables is best explained with a direct effect; whereas other findings indicate an indirect effect through aggression-related constructs best describes this relationship. No published study that we are aware of has pitted the direct and indirect hypotheses against each other, which is the purpose of the current study. Participants (N = 129 U.S. emerging adults) completed questionnaires to measure media violence, cyberbullying perpetration, trait physical and verbal aggression, normative aggressive beliefs, and aggressive attitudes. Results showed support for the indirect effect, by demonstrating (a) the significant correlation between media violence and cyberbullying was rendered nonsignificant while controlling for aggression variables and (b) the indirect effect was significant when controlling for the intercorrelations between the media violence and aggression variables. Overall, the results suggest an indirect effect better explains the relationship between media violence exposure and cyberbullying perpetration.