Antisocial Behavior in Adolescents: An Investigation into Associations with Bullying Victimization, Moral Disengagement, Sleep Quality, and Family Relationship

Several studies have explored the link between bullying victimization, antisocial behavior, moral disengagement, sleep quality, and family relationships. However, empirical findings on several of these links are contradictory and their nature requires further explanation. This investigation examines the mediation effects of moral disengagement and sleep quality and the moderation effect of family relationship on the link between bullying victimization and antisocial behavior. A total of 659 middle and high school students were selected to complete self-report questionnaires assessing the experience of bullying victimization, antisocial behavior, moral disengagement, sleep quality, and family relationship. Structural equation modeling results indicate that moral disengagement and sleep quality fully mediate the effect of bullying victimization on antisocial behavior. Both direct effect of bullying victimization on antisocial behavior and indirect effect through sleep quality are significantly moderated by family relationship. These findings contribute to further understanding of the underlying mechanism in the association between bullying victimization and adolescent antisocial behavior. Intervention programs that enhance family relationship and sleep quality but decrease moral disengagement can reduce the risk of antisocial behavior in the context of bullying victimization.