Objectives <p>Previous studies have shown that child abuse and neglect can be risk factors for cyber aggression perpetration in adulthood. However, few studies have explored the common influencing factors and mechanisms of this relationship from the perspective of positive psychology. This study examined the mediating roles of self-compassion and gratitude according to the General Aggression Model.</p> Methods <p>A self-report survey was conducted three times at 6-month intervals. The final sample included 849 students (504 women; <i>M</i>_age = 19.02, <i>SD</i> = 1.38) from four Chinese universities. The structural equation model (SEM) and bias-corrected bootstrap estimation were used to examine the mediating effects.</p> Results <p>Self-compassion and gratitude mediated the relationship between child abuse and neglect and cyber aggression perpetration. Specifically, child abuse was linked to increased cyber aggression through a lack of gratitude mediated by a lack of self-compassion.</p> Conclusions <p>Self-compassion may protect victims of child abuse and neglect by fostering gratitude and reducing the risk of negative outcomes such as cyber aggression perpetration. Notably, the associations between child abuse and neglect and self-compassion may differ, suggesting the need for tailored interventions. For instance, Compassion-Focused Therapy may be more effective for those with a history of abuse due to its focus on reducing self-criticism, while Mindful Self-Compassion may benefit those who experienced neglect by promoting kindness and gratitude toward oneself and others.</p>