Victimization and perpetration of cyber dating abuse among adolescents in Metropolitan Lima: predictive evidence of emotional dependence, social skills, and sex

Gómez J.C.A.; Pedemonte F.A.V.; Grajeda-Montalvo A.; Paz-Asenjo G.D.C.; Calderón N.G.C.; Biffi K.A.T.; Delgado-Torres J.D.; Morales M.T.A. · Psiquemag (2026) · DOI: 10.18050/psiquemag.v15i1.3621

Resumen

The objective was to analyze, in a differentiated manner, the victimization and perpetration of cyber abuse among adolescents in Metropolitan Lima, examining their relationship with emotional dependence, social skills, and sex. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design with a correlational–predictive scope was employed, with a sample of 800 secondary school students (404 females, 396 males; aged 14–17 years). The Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire (CDAQ), the ACCA Emotional Dependence Scale, and the Social Skills Questionnaire (CHASO) were administered. Emotional dependence was found to be positively and significantly related to victimization (rho = .324; p < .001) and perpetration (rho = .343; p < .001). In the regression analysis for victimization, the model was significant (F(3, 796) = 64.89; p < .001) and explained 19.7% of the variance (R² = .197), with emotional dependence (β = .418; p < .001), social skills (β = .139; p < .001), and sex (β = .087; p = .007) emerging as significant predictors. For perpetration, the model explained 21.7% of the variance (F(3, 796) = 73.53; p < .001; R² = .217), with significant effects of emotional dependence (β = .442; p < .001), social skills (β = .140; p < .001), and sex (β = .087; p = .006). The emotional dependence × sex interaction term was not significant (p = .497), indicating the absence of moderation. Overall, the findings suggest that emotional dependence is a central predictor of cyber dating abuse in both roles, while social skills contribute additional variance in multivariate models, and sex is associated with mean differences without altering the psychological mechanisms evaluated.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal; Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista