Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context
IntroductionCyber-aggressive behavior in adolescents is significantly influenced by violence and competition, yet their distinct roles and interactions with contextual and personality factors remain underexplored. This study investigates how violent versus competitive triggers, contextual mediums (t...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1577717/full |
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| author | Yanlei Chen Lubin Wang Shaoyang Guo Qian Gu |
| author_facet | Yanlei Chen Lubin Wang Shaoyang Guo Qian Gu |
| author_sort | Yanlei Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionCyber-aggressive behavior in adolescents is significantly influenced by violence and competition, yet their distinct roles and interactions with contextual and personality factors remain underexplored. This study investigates how violent versus competitive triggers, contextual mediums (text, video, game), and social comparison tendencies shape cyber-aggression.MethodsTwo experimental studies were conducted. Study 1 employed a 2 (violence vs. competition) × 3 (context: text, video, game) mixed design using gamified assessments to measure cyber-aggression. Study 2 expanded this with a 2 (violence vs. competition) × 3 (social comparison tendency: high/medium/low) × 2 (aggression type: verbal/physical) design to dissect behavioral and personality interactions.ResultsViolence consistently elicited higher cyber-aggression than competition across all contexts (Study 1). In Study 2, violent-competitive factors retained significant main effects, while aggression type (verbal/physical) and social comparison tendency alone showed no significant impacts. Key interactions emerged: verbal aggression under competitive conditions provoked stronger cyber-aggression than physical means. High social comparison tendency amplified cyber-aggression in violent contexts, correlating with escalating violence intensity.DiscussionViolence is the dominant driver of adolescent cyber-aggression, particularly when paired with high social comparison tendencies. Competitive environments, however, disproportionately trigger verbal aggression. These findings highlight the need for context-specific interventions targeting media content and individual predispositions to mitigate cyber-aggressive behavior. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9cc3dcf7cbf04ed6b2e88c5685780527 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9cc3dcf7cbf04ed6b2e88c56857805272025-08-20T03:14:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-04-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15777171577717Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game contextYanlei Chen0Lubin Wang1Shaoyang Guo2Qian Gu3School of Educational Science, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, ChinaPsychological Counseling and Therapy Center, Zibo Mental Health Center, Zibo, ChinaSchool of Educational Science, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, ChinaSchool of Educational Science, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, ChinaIntroductionCyber-aggressive behavior in adolescents is significantly influenced by violence and competition, yet their distinct roles and interactions with contextual and personality factors remain underexplored. This study investigates how violent versus competitive triggers, contextual mediums (text, video, game), and social comparison tendencies shape cyber-aggression.MethodsTwo experimental studies were conducted. Study 1 employed a 2 (violence vs. competition) × 3 (context: text, video, game) mixed design using gamified assessments to measure cyber-aggression. Study 2 expanded this with a 2 (violence vs. competition) × 3 (social comparison tendency: high/medium/low) × 2 (aggression type: verbal/physical) design to dissect behavioral and personality interactions.ResultsViolence consistently elicited higher cyber-aggression than competition across all contexts (Study 1). In Study 2, violent-competitive factors retained significant main effects, while aggression type (verbal/physical) and social comparison tendency alone showed no significant impacts. Key interactions emerged: verbal aggression under competitive conditions provoked stronger cyber-aggression than physical means. High social comparison tendency amplified cyber-aggression in violent contexts, correlating with escalating violence intensity.DiscussionViolence is the dominant driver of adolescent cyber-aggression, particularly when paired with high social comparison tendencies. Competitive environments, however, disproportionately trigger verbal aggression. These findings highlight the need for context-specific interventions targeting media content and individual predispositions to mitigate cyber-aggressive behavior.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1577717/fulladolescentsviolencecompetitioncyber-aggressive behaviorsocial comparison tendency |
| spellingShingle | Yanlei Chen Lubin Wang Shaoyang Guo Qian Gu Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context Frontiers in Psychology adolescents violence competition cyber-aggressive behavior social comparison tendency |
| title | Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context |
| title_full | Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context |
| title_fullStr | Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context |
| title_full_unstemmed | Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context |
| title_short | Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context |
| title_sort | violent or competitive unpacking adolescent cyber aggressive behavior in text video and game context |
| topic | adolescents violence competition cyber-aggressive behavior social comparison tendency |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1577717/full |
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