KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS) 2981-2526 7 Serial Number 47 2026 07 10 Cybervictimization and Disordered Eating Among Adolescent Girls: A Structural Equation Model of Appearance Comparison, Body Dissatisfaction, and Self-Esteem Cybervictimization and Disordered Eating Among Adolescent Girls: A Structural Equation Model of Appearance Comparison, Body Dissatisfaction, and Self-Esteem 1 11 10.61838/ EN Journal Article 2025 12 12 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to test the direct and indirect relationships between cybervictimization and disordered eating among adolescent girls, with appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem examined as parallel and sequential mediators.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials:</strong> A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 648 adolescent girls aged 13–18 years who were recruited from 12 public secondary schools in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, Canada. Participants completed standardized measures of cybervictimization, appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, and disordered eating. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Model fit was evaluated using the comparative fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, root mean square error of approximation, and standardized root mean square residual. Indirect effects were tested using 10,000 bias-corrected bootstrap samples.</p> <p><strong>Findings:</strong> The proposed partially mediated structural model demonstrated good fit to the data, χ²(1090) = 1754.91, CFI = .950, TLI = .946, RMSEA = .031, and SRMR = .043. Cybervictimization significantly predicted appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, lower self-esteem, and disordered eating. Appearance comparison significantly predicted body dissatisfaction, lower self-esteem, and disordered eating, while body dissatisfaction significantly predicted lower self-esteem and greater disordered eating. Self-esteem was negatively associated with disordered eating. All hypothesized specific indirect effects were significant. The total indirect effect of cybervictimization on disordered eating was .272, whereas the total effect was .372. The model explained 17% of the variance in appearance comparison, 52% in body dissatisfaction, 49% in self-esteem, and 61% in disordered eating.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Cybervictimization was associated with disordered eating both directly and through interconnected appearance-related and self-evaluative mechanisms, highlighting appearance comparison, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem as important targets for prevention and intervention.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://www.journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jayps/article/download/5480/11080