Cyber dating abuse: its link to depression, anxiety and dyadic adjustment

Although the study of cyber dating abuse has increased in recent years, there is still limited knowledge about the variables associated with victimization in these behaviors. This study has two objectives: (1) to analyze the relationship of the main forms of online victimization of cyber dating abuse (control and direct aggression, and the interaction between them) with depression, anxiety and dyadic adjustment; and (2) to study the moderating role of sex in these relationships. The sample consisted of 782 youths between 18 and 30 years. The results showed that online victimization is related to both higher levels of depression and anxiety as well as to a worse dyadic adjustment. Furthermore, the relationship between depression and anxiety with direct aggression was moderated by control. Sex, in turn, moderated the relationship between direct aggression and dyadic adjustment. These findings have important implications for prevention and intervention on cyber dating abuse.