The problematic use of social networking sites is becoming a major public health concern. Previous research has found that adolescents who engage in a problematic use of social networking sites are likely to show maladjustment problems. However, little is known about its links with peer aggression and victimization. The main goal of this study was to analyze the relationship between problematic use of online social networking sites, peer aggression –overt vs. relational and reactive vs. instrumental–, and peer victimization –overt physical and verbal, and relational–, taking into account gender and age (in early and mid-adolescence). Participants were selected using randomized cluster sampling considering school and class as clusters. A battery of instruments was applied to 1,952 adolescents' secondary students from Spain (Andalusia) (50.4% boys), aged 11 to 16 (M = 14.07, SD = 1.39). Results showed that girls and 14–16 adolescents were more involved in a problematic use of online social networking sites. Furthermore, adolescents with high problematic use of online social networking sites were more involved in overt—reactive and instrumental—and relational—reactive and instrumental—aggressive behaviors, and self-reported higher levels of overt—physical and verbal—and relational victimization. Even though boys indicated higher levels of all types of victimization, girls with high problematic use of online social networking sites scored the highest on relational victimization. Relating to age, early adolescents (aged 11–14) with higher problematic use of online social networking sites reported the highest levels of overt verbal and relational victimization. Overall, results suggested the co-occurrence of problematic use of online social networking sites, peer aggression and victimization. In addition, results showed the influence that gender and age had on peer victimization. This study highlights the continuity between offline and online domains with regard to maladjustment problems in adolescence.

The aim of this work is to examine the pentafactorial validity of the AF5 Self-Concept Questionnaire in Spanish and Chilean young adults. From the responses of a total of 4,383 young adults aged 17 to 22 years (1,918 Spanish, 44%, and 2,465 Chilean, 56%) it was analyzed the reliability of the instrument, the compared validity of the 5 oblique factor model proposed by the authors versus the unifactorial and the orthogonal alternative models, and was studied the invariance of one Chilean sample. The results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the authors' pentafactorial model. The multi-group factorial invariance showed that Chilean sample of the AF5 does not change neither the Spanish factor weights, nor the variances and covariances of the factors, or the error variances of items. Finally, the internal consistency of the five scales was good in the samples of both countries.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the relationships between child-to-parent violence and parental socialization styles with the problematic use of social networking sites, alexithymia and attitude towards institutional authority in adolescents. A sample of 2,399 adolescents (50.2% boys and 49.8% girls) enrolled in schools in Andalusia, aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.63, SD = 1.91) participated in the study. A MANOVA 4 × 2 × 2 was carried out. The results showed that high child-to-parent violence was related to high levels of problematic use of social networking sites, alexithymia, and a more positive attitude towards the transgression of social norms. It was also found that adolescents from families with an indulgent style showed the lowest scores in problematic use of social networking sites, alexithymia, and positive attitude towards the transgression of social norms. Additionally, in situations of high child-to-parent violence, girls had higher scores in problematic use of social networking sites and alexithymia than boys. Finally, the results and their practical implications are discussed. ,El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la relación entre la violencia filioparental y los estilos de socialización parental con el uso problemático de las redes sociales virtuales, la alexitimia y la actitud hacia la autoridad institucional en adolescentes. Participaron 2,399 adolescentes (50.2% chicos y 49,8% chicas) escolarizados en centros educativos de Andalucía, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 18 años (,M, = 14.63, ,DT, = 1.91). Se realizó un MANOVA 4 × 2 × 2. Los resultados mostraron que la alta violencia filioparental se relacionaba con altos niveles de uso problemático de las redes sociales virtuales, de alexitimia y con una actitud más positiva hacia la transgresión de normas sociales. También se constató que los adolescentes procedentes de familias con un estilo indulgente mostraron las menores puntuaciones en uso problemático de las redes sociales virtuales, alexitimia y actitud positiva hacia la transgresión de normas sociales. Además, en situaciones de alta violencia filioparental, las chicas presentaron mayores puntuaciones en uso problemático de las redes sociales virtuales y de alexitimia que los chicos. Finalmente se discuten los resultados y sus implicaciones prácticas.

This study aims to analyze the influence of communication with the mother and father on adolescents’ life satisfaction, as well as possible indirect effects through self-esteem, feelings of loneliness, and perceived classroom environment. These relationships, and possible gender differences, were analyzed in a sample of 1,795 adolescents (52% male, 48% female) aged 11 to 18 years-old (M = 14.2, SD = 1.68), using structural equation modeling. Results indicate a direct effect of communication-mother (girls: β = .19, p < .001; boys: β = .16, p < .05) and communication-father (girls: β = .22, p < .001; boys: β = .17, p < .05) on adolescent life satisfaction; and also indirect effects through self-esteem (communication-mother: girls, β = .18, p < .01; boys: β = .19, p < .05; communication-father: girls: β = .28, p < .001; boys: β = .27, p < .01) and feelings of loneliness (communication-mother: girls: β = -.19, p < .01; boys: β = -.21, p < .05; communication-father: girls: β = -.31, p < .001; boys: β = -.20, p < .01). The results and implications of this study are discussed.