Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Antecedents of Cyberbullying Victimization in Early Adolescence: An Ecological Systems Framework

Abstract

This study investigates multiple-level antecedents of cyberbullying victimization among early adolescents. Data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children, 2009 to 2010 cohort study in the United States were used. The sample included White, Black, Latino, and Asian adolescents, ages 10–14 ( N = 8481). Bivariate analysis, logistic regression, and subgroup analysis were conducted. Among White adolescents, female sex, older age, and bullying victimization were positively associated with cyberbullying victimization, whereas parental awareness was negatively associated. Among Black adolescents, bullying victimization was positively associated with cyberbullying victimization, but parental employment was negatively associated. Among Latino adolescents, older age was positively related to cyberbullying victimization, whereas “other” family structures were negatively related. Among Asian adolescents, “other” family structure and bullying victimization were positively related to cyberbullying victimization, whereas parental awareness, parental employment, and “quite well off” family socioeconomic status were negatively related. Parental awareness moderated the association between parental employment and cyberbullying victimization.