Childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying among Chinese youths: The mediating roles of mindfulness and Machiavellianism

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying among youths, and the roles of mindfulness and Machiavellianism in that relationship. The study sample comprised 504 Chinese youths (female = 51.2%) who completed the Childhood Emotional Abuse Scale, Gamebullying Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Machiavellianism Scale. Path analysis results indicated a history of childhood emotional abuse to predict gamebullying. Mindfulness mediated the relationship with childhood emotional abuse to predict gamebullying to be lower. Machiavellianism mediated the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and gamebullying to be higher. In our sample, demographic variables, including gender and education, did not predict gamebullying. Younger youths had lower levels of gamebullying than older youths. These findings indicate a need to reduce gamebullying among youths with a history of adverse childhood events. Mindfulness healing can be used to lower the negative effects of gamebullying.

Keywords:

• childhood emotional abuse
• gamebullying
• mindfulness
• Machiavellianism
• Chinese youth

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Prof. Elias Mpofu and the reviewers for their helpful feedback and work on this paper. They also wish to thank Associate Prof. Yue Wu for his suggestions prior to submission.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Social Science and Arts Foundation (Project No. 22BG137).