The Mediating Role of Cyberbullying and Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Trait Emotional Intelligence and School Adjustment in Adolescents
Keywords:
Emotional intelligence, cyberbullying, self-efficacy, school adjustment, adolescentsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of cyberbullying and self-efficacy in the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and school adjustment among adolescents.
Methodology: This applied research employed a correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included secondary school students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Adolescent Short Form (Petrides & Furnham, 2001), the Children’s Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Muris, 2001), the Cyberbullying and Victimization Experiences Questionnaire (Antoniadou et al., 2016), and the Adolescent’s Adjustment Inventory (Sinha & Singh, 1993). Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS, and bootstrapping with 5000 resamples was applied to test mediating effects.
Findings: The results showed that trait emotional intelligence had a significant positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.71, p < 0.001) and negative effects on cyberbullying (β = -0.28, p < 0.01) and cybervictimization (β = -0.24, p < 0.01). Self-efficacy negatively predicted school adjustment (β = -0.36, p < 0.001), while cyberbullying (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) and cybervictimization (β = 0.26, p < 0.01) were positively associated with decreased adjustment. The total effect of trait emotional intelligence on school adjustment was negative and significant (β = -0.51, p < 0.001), partially mediated by self-efficacy and cyberbullying.
Conclusion: The findings highlight that trait emotional intelligence contributes to adolescents’ school adjustment by enhancing self-efficacy and reducing engagement in cyberbullying behaviors. Educational and psychological interventions aimed at strengthening emotional intelligence and self-efficacy and preventing cyberbullying may improve adolescents’ academic and social adjustment.
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