Cyberbullying victimization and depressive symptoms in Vietnamese university students: Examining social support as a mediator

Abstract

Cyberbullying is growing in university students and tends to become a serious problem. Victims of cyberbullying may develop depressive symptoms such as insecurity, loneliness, low self – esteem, sadness, feelings of not belonging, academic decline, and even thought suicidal thoughts and behavior. However, little is known about social support as a mediating factor for the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depressive symptoms. This study aims to determine whether social support mediates the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depressive symptoms in university students. Participants were 606 Vietnamese university students, who completed questionnaires related to their experience with cyberbullying victimization, depressive symptoms and perceived social support. This study indicates that: a) cyberbullying victimization is positively correlated with depressive symptoms; b) In the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depressive symptoms in Vietnamese university students, social support is partly mediated. Our study contributes to the clarification and expansion of the intermediary mechanisms related to the development of depressive symptoms in university students who report being victims of cyberbullying. • Social support is negatively correlated with cyberbullying victimization and depression. • Cyberbullying victimization is positively correlated with depression. • Social support partially mediated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depression.