The Structural Equations Model of Cyberbullying Based on the Brain/Behavioral System (Inhibition/Activation of Behavior) with the Mediating Role of Cognitive Regulation of Emotion in Second-Period High School Students of Gotvand City: A Descriptive Study

With the expansion of the use of internet technology, teenagers, as a group of society that use cyber space more, are exposed to its abuse. The aim of the present study was to determine the structural equation model of cyberbullying based on the brain/behavioral system with the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation in students.

In the current descriptive study, the statistical population was all students of secondary school (second period) in Gotvand City in 2022-2023. Three-hundred and eighty people were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling method and responded to the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation, Cyberbullying-Victim Experience, and Emotional Eegulation Scales. Data analysis was performed by structural equations modeling method.

Direct effects of behavioral inhibition system on cyberbullying (β=-0.460, p=0.001), behavioral activation on cyberbullying (β=0.299, p=0.001), and cognitive regulation of excitement on cyberbullying (β=-0.376, p=0.001), and also inhibition of behavior on cognitive regulation of emotion (β=0.235, p=0.001), activation of behavior on cognitive regulation of emotion (β=-0.239, p=0.001) were significant. Moreover, the indirect effects of inhibiting behavior on cyberbullying through cognitive regulation of emotion (β=-0.122, p=0.001) and activating behavior on cyberbullying through cognitive regulation of emotion (β=-0.200, p=0.001) were significant.

The results of the present study showed that the behavior inhibition/behavior activation system is effective directly and through the cognitive regulation of emotion on cyberbullying, and the cognitive regulation of emotion also has a direct effect on cyberbullying. The results of the present research will help education experts and psychotherapists in identifying variables related to behavioral and emotional control conditions in order to increase the mental health and quality of life of adolescents with the optimal use of cyber technology.