Abstract
Episodes of cyberbullying victimisation have serious consequences among adolescents, which worsen when their involvement is perpetuated over time. It is therefore important to understand what factors lead to long-term cybervictimisation to prevent it. This one-year longitudinal study examines significant socioemotional factors in the origin and dynamics of cybervictimisation, not yet jointly explored in its perpetuation. Participants were 427 Spanish 7th -, 8th -, 9th - and 10th -grade students (52.9% boys, 46.8% girls, 0.2% other), aged 12-17 (M(age) = 13.08, SD = 1.01). Adolescents completed a series of self-reported questionnaires assessing peer pressure, anger dysregulation, and cybervictimisation. The results revealed that: (a) of the total sample, 5.6% were cybervictims only at T1 and 8.0% only at T2, and 3.6% were long-term cybervictims; (b) all variables were significantly and positively correlated at T1 and T2, except cybervictimisation at T1 and anger dysregulation at T2; (c) scores varied according to gender and age; and (d) peer pressure can increase the risk of long-term cybervictimisation, specifically in cases where anger dysregulation levels are moderate or low. The results highlight the importance of considering moderating mechanisms involved in increasing the risk of long-term cybervictimisation as well as the need to promote positive peer group dynamics and emotion management to avoid perpetuating the problem.