The relationship of real-life interpersonal difficulties and Chinese adolescents’ online deviant behavior: a U-shaped mediated moderating effect of online morality

Abstract

Abstract Based on the integrated perspective of reality and virtual networks, this study aims to explore the mechanism of how interpersonal difficulties influence Chinese adolescents’ online deviant behavior and the roles of online morality and online social support in this relationship. A questionnaire containing four psychological scales was administered to 1,120 Chinese adolescents, and the meditating and moderating effects were analyzed using structure equation modeling. The results show that (1) Real-life interpersonal difficulties and online social support can significantly increase online deviant behavior, whereas online morality can significantly decrease such behavior. (2) There is a U-shaped mediated moderating effect: The recovering effect of morality for the impact of interpersonal difficulties on online deviant behavior is only effective for individuals with high moral levels and mild interpersonal difficulties; however, once interpersonal difficulties exceed the critical threshold, online deviant behavior will surge, particularly among individuals with high online morality. (3) There is a moderated mediating effect: Online social support is a mediator between interpersonal difficulties and online deviant behavior, and online morality can negatively moderate the impact of online social support on online deviant behavior. Furthermore, this study also proposed a theoretical model to explain how online deviant behavior happens, which can be used to control and reduce online deviant behavior.