Motivational Pathways to Cyberhate Among Ukrainian Adolescents: The Role of Revenge and Proactive Motivation

• In Event: Social and Emotional Learning of Diverse Youth

Abstract

This study investigates psychological pathways linking cyberbullying victimization to cyberhate perpetration among 4,149 Ukrainian adolescents. Drawing on the general aggression model, social cognitive theory, and social identity theory, we examined revenge (reactive) and proactive (entertainment, social reward) motivation as mediators. Structural equation modeling showed that victimization significantly predicted cyberhate perpetration, primarily through revenge motivation. Proactive motivation, while correlated with victimization, did not significantly predict cyberhate. Gender, but not conflict-zone residence, was a significant control variable. Findings highlight revenge as a significant predictor for cyberhate, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions promoting emotional regulation and digital empathy, particularly in conflict-affected regions. Results offer theoretical and practical insights into adolescent online aggression.

Author

• Julia Levin, University of Hamburg