Cyberbullying victimization and substance use among Quebec high schools students: The mediating role of psychological distress

Abstract

Cyberbullying has become a significant public health issue among youth and is associated with numerous mental health problems. While the majority of studies explored its mental consequences using cross-sectional design, this article aims to investigate direct and indirect links between cybervictimization, psychological distress and substance use among youth, using a longitudinal design. From the representative sample of the Quebec Youth Romantic Relationships Survey, 1540 students aged 14–20 years participated in 3 Waves. A mediated model was used to investigate direct and indirect links between cybervictimization, controlling for exposure to interparental violence, measured at Wave 1, psychological distress at Wave 2, and substance use at Wave 3 (alcohol, marijuana and other drugs). Findings revealed that cyberbullying victims (18.14%, 10.03%, 1.95% respectively for alcohol, cannabis and other drugs) were more likely to consume substances than non-victims (11.37%, 4.95%, 0.8%). They also show that cybervictimization (β = 1.41, p < .001), exposure to interparental violence (β = 0.08, p < .001) and being a girl (β = −3.78, p < .001) were significantly associated to psychological distress. Psychological distress was found to partially mediate the association between cyberbullying victimization and later substance use. By highlighting the role of psychological distress in the association between cyberbullying and substance use, these results are relevant for prevention and treatment for victims. Indeed, findings from this study underline the need to focus primarily on psychological distress among cyberbullying victims, with an emphasis on gender and possible past victimizations such as exposure to interparental violence.