Analysis of Dual Mediation Model among Adolescent Grit, Attention Deficit, Aggression, and Cyber Delinquency

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships among adolescent grit, attention deficits, aggression, and cyber delinquency. The author analyzed the third wave data (9th grades) from Korean Child Youth Panel Study (KCYPS) 2018, using process macro program of multiple mediation modeling. Findings of the present study were as follows: First, attention deficit mediated the relationship between adolescent grit and cyber delinquency. Second, aggression also mediated the association between grit and cyber delinquency. Lastly, both attention deficit and aggression subsequently mediated the relationship between grit and cyber delinquency. To be specific, adolescents with higher levels of grit predict lower levels of attention deficit and subsequently predict lower levels of aggression, leading to decrease in cyber delinquency. In other words, adolescents with higher levels of grit are less likely to experience attention deficit and aggression, and thus, are protective of consequent cyber delinquency. In contrast, adolescents with lower levels of grit are more likely to follow the vicious path, where attention deficit aggravates into aggression and eventually intensifies cyber delinquency. Limitations and implications of the study were discussed.