Open Access

ARTICLE

How Cyber-Ostracism Ignites the Flame of Aggression: A Moderated Mediation Study in Chinese College Students

Lan Luo^1,2, Yangyang Zhan^1,2, Xinna Hu², Jingjie Zhou^1,2, Haibin Li^2,3,*

1 Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China
2 School of Humanities, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, China
3 Department of Student Affairs, University of Tibetan Medicine, Lhasa, 850007, China

* Corresponding Author: Haibin Li. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Exploring the Impact of School Bullying, Aggression and Childhood Trauma in the Digital Age: Influencing Factors, Interventions, and Prevention Methods)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(4), 541-559. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.061043

Received 15 November 2024; Accepted 05 February 2025; Issue published 30 April 2025

Abstract

Objectives: The prevalence of cyber-aggression is increasing worldwide, resulting in significant negative impacts on both perpetrators and victims. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cyber-ostracism and cyber-aggression among college students, clarify the role of various types of rumination in this dynamic. Methods: A total of 1198 Chinese college students (67.4% female; mean age 20.78 years; SD = 1.12) were recruited through cluster random sampling and completed the Cyber-ostracism Experience Scale (COES), Positive and Negative Rumination Scale (PANRS), and Adolescent Online Aggression Behavior Scale (AOABS). The structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the relationship between cyber-ostracism, negative rumination, and cyber-aggression, as well as the moderating effect of positive rumination. Results: The results indicate that cyber-ostracism (β = 0.128, p < 0.001) positively predicts cyber-aggression. Negative rumination mediates this relationship (effect size = 0.027, 95% CI = [0.007, 0.014]). Positive rumination moderates the direct effect of cyber-ostracism on cyber-aggression (β = 0.103, p < 0.001). It also moderates both the first half (β = 0.148, p < 0.001) and the second half (β = 0.138, p < 0.001) of the mediating pathway. Conclusion: This study suggests that cyber-ostracism influences cyber-aggression through negative rumination among Chinese college students. Positive rumination moderates this effect, although its impact is relatively limited. These findings offer valuable guidance for preventing and intervening in cyber-aggression among college students.

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Keywords

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