Predictors of Cyber Dating Abuse Among Young Adults: The Role of Ambivalent Sexism, Victim-Blaming Myths, and Belief in a Just World

: Cyber Dating Abuse (CDA) is an emerging form of violence in young people's romantic relationships, characterized by controlling and aggressive behavior through digital technologies. Beliefs in a Just World, General (G-BJW) and Personal (P-BJW), and attitudes such as Ambivalent Sexism and acceptance of Victim-Blaming Myths, which may be conceptualized as operating in a cognitive-ideological system that sustains CDA. A sample of 1,084 Italian young adults (69.4% female), aged between 18 and 30 (M = 23.89, SD = 3.01), was recruited to complete an online questionnaire. An exploratory multiple mediation model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), in which the two dimensions of CDA, Over Aggression and Control, were considered dependent variables; G-BJW and P-BJW as predictor independent variables; and Benevolent and Hostile Sexism and Victim-Blaming Myths as intervening variables. Results showed that G-BJW was positively associated with all the mediators and was negatively associated with Control. Results showed associations among the study variables. P-BJW was negatively associated with all the mediators. Benevolent Sexism was associated with Control, while Hostile Sexism was associated with Overt Aggression. Victim-Blaming Myths was positively associated with both outcomes. G-BJW was indirectly and positively associated with Control through Benevolent Sexism and Victim-Blaming Myths. P-BJW was indirectly and negatively associated with Control only through Benevolent Sexism. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, these findings should be interpreted with caution and serve primarily to better understand CDA among young adults. These findings identify patterns of association among justice-related beliefs, sexism, victim-blaming myths, and CDA. Any practical implications should be considered hypotheses to inform future longitudinal research and the development of prevention initiatives.