2025/11/06 by Yulong Yin, Haijia Shi, Zheqing Fu +4 · 1 voice
Psychology · #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
paper · doi:10.1080/15213269.2025.2583161
openalex publication_date 2025/11/06 · openalex created_date 2025/11/07 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
Little research has examined the neural substrates behind cyberbullying perpetration. This study used resting-state EEG and minimal spanning tree analysis to investigate the relation between topological deviations in the α-band (closely associated with cognitive control) and cyberbullying perpetration. We further introduced materialism as a mediator and perceived paternal/maternal acceptance as moderators. A total of 113 young adults from China (53 females, Mean age = 20.83 ± 3.12 years) were recruited in this study. The results indicated a positive association between α-band K and cyberbullying perpetration, with materialism playing a partial mediating role in this relationship. Moreover, perceived paternal acceptance acted as a moderator, influencing the relationship between the α-band K and materialism. Our findings support that cyberbullying perpetration are associated with topological deviations related to cognitive control. The mediating role of materialism provides empirical support for the self-regulation theory in explaining cyberbullying behavior. Consistent with the differential susceptibility hypothesis, the moderating role of perceived paternal acceptance implies that cognitive control-related neural substrates and family environmental factors interact to shape individual values (e.g. materialism), which subsequently affect online behaviors (e.g. cyberbullying perpetration). These findings offer neuroscientific support for cyberbullying prevention/intervention strategies.