Reciprocal longitudinal relations between peer victimization and mobile phone addiction: The explanatory mechanism of adolescent depression

ABSTRACT Introduction Being victimized by peers has been shown to be associated with a range of adolescent problems, including mobile phone addiction (MPA). Although being victimized is assumed to lead to problem behavior, the reverse could also occur. In this longitudinal study we tested the reciprocal effects of victimization and MPA, taking into account the role of adolescent depression in these effects. Methods The sample included 1987 adolescents from middle schools in Guangdong and Shandong Provinces, China (56.10% male; M age at Wave 1 = 12.32). Three waves of questionnaire data were collected at half‐year intervals during the transition from 7th to 8th grade. Cross‐lagged models were adopted for data analysis. Results Peer victimization at W1/W2 predicted MPA at W2/W3, and the inverse relation was also significant: MPA at W1/W2 positively predicted peer victimization at W2/W3. Furthermore, the bidirectional association between peer victimization and MPA was mediated by adolescent depression. Conclusions This is the first longitudinal study on the relation between MPA and associated problems. Victimization by peers and MPA appear to have mutual influences over time that are explained in part by adolescent depression. The results have potential applied value for promoting adolescent adjustment.