Intergenerational cycle of victimization: Parental childhood experiences of violence victimization, parental maltreatment and children's cyberbullying victimization

Background: Most prior research on the cycle of victimization has primarily focused on individual life course trajectories, with limited attention to its intergenerational transmission. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between parental experiences of violent victimization in childhood and children's cyberbullying victimization remain underexplored. Objective: This study examines the association between parental childhood experiences of violent victimization (PCEVV) and children's cyberbullying victimization (CCV), and investigates whether this association is mediated by parental physical and emotional maltreatment. Participants: Data were collected from a representative sample of 2690 children and adolescents (Mean age = 13.18 years, SD = 1.50; 52.01 % boys) using a multi-stage cluster sampling method across seven cities in China. Methods: Data were obtained through a self-report questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using a multiple mediation model, incorporating path analysis and bootstrapping techniques to assess the direct and indirect effects. Results: The findings yield three key insights: (1) PCEVV is positively associated with CCV; (2) the association between PCEVV and CCV is mediated by physical neglect, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect, but not by physical abuse; and (3) emotional abuse exhibits the strongest mediating effect among all forms of maltreatment. Conclusions: This study provides a new perspective on how intergenerational trauma extends from offline familial adversity to online victimization in the digital age. The results highlight the importance of holistic, family-oriented interventions that aim not only to interrupt the intergenerational transmission of victimization but also to directly address parental maltreatment as a key factor in safeguarding children's online safety.