# The Role of Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, and Assertiveness in Explaining Cyberbullying Victimization Among Youth

## TL;DR

The study explores how behaviors like aggression and assertiveness relate to cyberbullying among youth.

## Contribution

It identifies aggressive and passive-assertive behaviors as key predictors of cyberbullying victimization.

## Key findings

- Aggressive and passive-assertive behaviors strongly predict cyberbullying victimization.
- These behaviors mediate the link between prosocial behavior and cyberbullying experiences.
- The study highlights practical strategies for addressing cyberbullying.

## Abstract

This study aimed to examine cyberbullying among youth regarding prosocial behavior, aggression, passive aggression, assertiveness, and passive assertiveness. The study included 183 adolescents (51.4% girls, 39.9% boys, and 8.7% defined as another gender) aged 15 to 18. Aggressive, passive-aggressive, assertive, passive-assertive, prosocial, and cyberbullying behaviors were assessed using self-report questionnaires. The results revealed significant differences in how various responses to conflictual social situations relate to experiences of cyberbullying. Aggressive and passive-assertive behaviors were the strongest predictors of cyberbullying victimization. Furthermore, both behaviors significantly mediated the relationship between prosocial behavior and experiences of cyberbullying. These findings provide insight into practical strategies for dealing with cyberbullying and contribute to our existing understanding of the role of aggression and assertiveness in online harassment.