A Latent Transition Analysis of Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Among Chinese Adolescents: Associations With Life Satisfaction and Depression

ABSTRACT Bullying, both traditional and cyber, has become a public health concern. Nevertheless, few studies have differentiated between traditional bullying and cyberbullying to examine how their interplay shapes distinct bullying involvement profiles and how these profiles link with well‐being and mental health outcomes. Thus, the present two‐wave study employed latent transition analysis to investigate adolescents' bullying involvement profiles, focusing on their stability and change as well as differences in life satisfaction and depression. We identified five profiles: severe bully‐victims, moderate bully‐victims, victims, low‐involved, and non‐involved. The two bully‐victim profiles showed greater transitions, whereas the non‐involved profile was the most stable. Boys were at higher risk of the two bully‐victim profiles, and older victims were less likely to remain purely victimized. Severe bully‐victims reported lower life satisfaction, while non‐involved adolescents reported lower depression. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of bullying involvement among adolescents over time, with implications for prevention and intervention.