Association Between Cyberbullying Victimization and Loneliness Among Adolescents

Abstract

Cyberbullying may create psychological well-being problems and several coping strategies can augment the strength between cyberbullying and psychological well-being issues. The current study endeavors to investigate the association between cyberbullying victimization and feelings of loneliness among adolescents and also the role of coping strategies and emotional intelligence between cyberbullying and loneliness. Various coping strategies can alleviate the strength between cyberbullying victimization and loneliness. Through a survey questionnaire, data were collected from 451 adolescents in India. The findings reveal that coping strategies (seeking support, active coping, and avoidant coping) diminish loneliness and act as a mediator between cyberbullying victimization and loneliness. Seeking support and active coping strategies ease the loneliness resulting from cyberbullying victimization, while avoidant coping strategy is found to be non-significant. Emotional intelligence is found to alleviate the negative effects of cyberbullying on loneliness. The research can augment existing knowledge of cyberbullying and the mental well-being of adolescents concerning loneliness and emotional intelligence. The contributions of the study on the linkages among these variables and the psychological well-being concerns of adolescent victims of cyberbullying are highlighted.