Psychology: Techniques and Application

Psychology: Techniques and Application ›› 2026, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (2): 102-111.

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The Relationship between the Belief in a Just World and the Intention of Online Bullying Intervention: The Role of Empathy and Social Relationships

  

  1. Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, Beijing Forestry University
  • Accepted:2025-11-20 Online:2026-01-27 Published:2026-01-27

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Abstract:

To explore the mechanism of the belief in a just world on the intention to intervene in cyberbullying, Study 1 employed a questionnaire method to measure the belief in a just world, empathy, and intention to intervene in cyberbullying among 240 Weibo users, and to examine the mediating effect. Study 2 adopted an experimental method, setting the relationship between victims and bystanders as either friends or strangers, to investigate whether social relationships would affect the relationship between the belief in a just world and empathy. The results revealed that: (1) The belief in a just world was significantly positively correlated with the intention to intervene in cyberbullying, and was significantly positively correlated with empathy, which was also significantly positively correlated with the intention to intervene in cyberbullying; (2) Empathy played a mediating role between the belief in a just world and the intention to intervene in cyberbullying; (3) Social relationships moderated the relationship between the belief in a just world and empathy. The studies uncovered the relationship and mechanism between the belief in a just world and the intention to intervene in cyberbullying, providing theoretical support and intervention suggestions for enhancing bystanders’ intention to intervene in cyberbullying.

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CLC Number: 

  • B849
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