The Effect of Violent Online Games Exposure on Chinese Teenagers’ Cyberbullying: The Mediation Role of Cognitive Empathy and Affective Empathy

Abstract

Objective: To explore the association between violent online games exposure on cyberbullying among teenagers, as well as the mediating role of cognitive empathy and affective empathy in this relation. Methods: 721 Chinese adolescents were recruited to complete Questionnaire of Violent Online Games Exposure, Basic Empathy Scale, Cyberbullying Inventory. Results: Ⅰ.Violent online games exposure was positively correlated with cyberbullying in teenagers, while negatively correlated with cognitive and affective empathy; cognitive and affective empathy were negatively correlated with cyberbullying in teenagers. Ⅱ.Violent online games exposure significantly predicted cyberbullying in teenagers. Ⅲ.Both cognitive empathy and affective empathy significantly mediated the effects of violent online games exposure on cyberbullying in teenagers. Conclusion: Cognitive empathy and affective empathy could act as mediating role in the association between violent online games exposure and teenagers’ cyberbullying.