Abstract

This study examined the relationship between belief in an unjust world and cyberbullying perpetration, focusing on the mediating effects of malicious envy and moral disengagement. Data were collected from 402 early adults through a survey, and the structural equation model was tested. The results indicated that belief in an unjust world did not directly predict cyberbullying perpetration. However, the simple mediating effects of malicious envy and moral disengagement were significant, and the sequential mediating effect of both variables was also significant. Specifically, belief in an unjust world increased malicious envy and moral disengagement, which, in turn, led to greater cyberbullying perpetration. These findings confirm the role of belief in an unjust world in fostering negative psychological mechanisms that contribute to cyberbullying among early adults. The study highlights the importance of addressing justice-related beliefs and offers implications for developing targeted interventions.