The Interaction Between Adolescent Cyber Dating Abuse and Parenting on Mental Health Outcomes

As children enter adolescence, the importance of peer relationships and exposure to peer stressors increases. Previous research suggests that cyber dating abuse (CDA) has become more prevalent during this developmental period, but parent–child relationships can serve as a protective factor against negative effects from peer stressors. The following study examined whether aspects of parent–child relationship quality (communication, closeness, and activities) served as a protective factor in the relationship between CDA victimization and mental health of adolescents. The sample included 1960 adolescents (55% female) between the ages of 11 and 18 who were currently in a romantic relationship. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggested that parent–child closeness moderated the effect of CDA on adolescents’ symptoms of depression and anxiety; however, parent–child communication and activities were not moderators. This suggests that the quality of parent–child relationships may be salient in moderating the effects of CDA while the quantity of interactions is not. Both practical and clinical implications of the findings are further discussed.