Cyber-ostracism and its relation to depression among Chinese adolescents: The moderating role of optimism

• Published in: Personality and individual differences Vol. 123; pp. 105 - 109
• Main Authors: Niu, Geng-Feng, Zhou, Zong-Kui, Sun, Xiao-jun, Yu, Feng, Xie, Xiao-Chun, Liu, Qing-Qi, Lian, Shuai-Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescents; Attitudes; Cyber-ostracism; Depression; Mental depression; Optimism; Teenagers; China; Depression; Adolescents; Cyber-ostracism; Optimism
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.032

Internet has been a popular medium and means to interconnect with others, with increasing opportunities for inclusion; at the same time, being ignored and excluded, a phenomenon referring to cyber-ostraism also increased. This study investigated the influence of cyber-ostracism on Chinese adolescents' depression, and the moderating role of optimism between them. First, a scale with 14-item was developed to measure the cyber-ostracism experience of adolescents. Then, a survey was conducted among 1626 Chinese adolescents aged 12–18, and the results showed that: (1) cyber-ostracism was positively correlated with depression, while optimism was negatively correlated with depression, (2) optimism could moderate the influence of cyber-ostracism on depression, with a stronger association for adolescents with low level of optimism. Results indicated that cyber-ostracism is a negative interpersonal experience as ostracism in real life, while optimism could alleviate the detrimental effect of cyber-ostracism. •A cyber-ostracism experience scale for adolescents was developed.•Cyber-ostracism would increase the risk of depression.•Cyber-ostracism is a painful and distressful experience as ostracism in real life.•Optimism optimisim could alleviate the detrimental effect of cyber-ostracism.