Potential Sociodemographic Predictors of Cyberbullying Behavior among University Students

Abstract

Objective: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of selected factors such as sociodemographic variables, self-esteem, and loneliness, with reference to being a perpetrator of cyberbullying or victim. Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling technique was employed in this cross-sectional study to investigate the contributing factors of cyberbullying behavior among 231 undergraduate university students. Data were gathered through self-report questionnaires, and included the sociodemographic characteristics, Cyber Victim and Bullying Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3, and 10-item Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Before conducting this study, written informed consent was taken from the respondents. Participation was voluntary. Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and multiple regression. Results: The present study demonstrated that male students were more likely to exhibit cyberbullying perpetration. Female students were more likely to be cyberbullying victims. Few variables that influence cyberbullying behavior were students who were bullied previously and those who came from single-parent families. Higher level of loneliness was associated with cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Lower self-esteem was linked only to cyberbullying perpetration. Noticeably, loneliness was the only significant predictor of cyber-victimization. Conclusion: The present findings are consistent with extant research literature on cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Further research might be one way forward toward determining the significant risk factors of cyberbullying behavior, which is a currently a major mental health concern.