Adolescent happiness and (fear of) cyber-victimization: the role of self-control and parental supervision

• In Event: Victimology Working Group Panel 1 Consequences of Victimization

Abstract

Despite the growing body of literature on the relationship between quality of life and crime-related factors among adults, little attention has been given to the influence of crime on adolescent subjective well-being. However, youth victimization prevalence is high and its consequences can be severe. This is especially true for cyber-victimization, which is often challenging to detect. Additionally, existing research suggests that (fear of) cyber-victimization is likely to be determined by individual self-control on one hand and the level of parental supervision on the other. Using data from the Urban Youth Victimization Survey conducted in the Czech Republic, we employ regression analysis and structural equation modelling to examine the relationship between youth happiness and (fear of) cyber-victimization while assessing the effect of self-control and parental supervision. The results show that cyber-victimization, which occurs more frequently with increased time spent on social networks and engaging in risky internet behaviour, as well as related fear significantly decrease youth happiness. The effect of self-control on happiness is mediated through cyber-victimization, frequent time spent on social networks, and engaging in risky internet behaviour, whereas the effect of parental supervision is limited.

Author

• Eva Krulichová, Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences