Risk Factors Influencing Cyberbullying Perpetration among Middle School Students in Korea: Analysis Using the Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Regression Model.

Kyung Im Kang,Chanhee Kim,Kyonghwa Kang

doi:10.3390/ijerph18052224

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study identified risk factors and predictors related to the perpetration of and potential for cyberbullying among adolescents, respectively. The analysis included a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model. Data were assessed from 2590 middle-school student panels obtained during the first wave of the Korean Child and Youth Panel Survey 2018. Of these respondents, 63.7% said they had not experienced the perpetration of cyberbullying. However, a subsequent count model analysis showed that several factors were significantly associated with cyberbullying, including offline delinquency, aggression, smartphone dependency, and smartphone usage on weekends (either 1–3 h or over 3 h). A logit model analysis also showed several predictive factors that increased the likelihood of cyberbullying, including gender (boys), offline delinquency, aggression, smartphone usage during weekdays (1–3 h), computer usage during weekends (1–3 h), and negative parenting. These identified risks and predictors should be useful for interventions designed to prevent the perpetration of cyberbullying among middle school students.

Highlights

This study identified risk factors and predictors related to the perpetration of and potential for cyberbullying among adolescents via zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression analysis
The count model analysis showed that high levels of offline delinquency (β = 0.089, p < 0.001), aggression (β = 0.050, p < 0.001), and smartphone dependency (β = 0.014, p = 0.013) were associated with increased cyberbullying behaviors
This study examined various factors related to cyberbullying perpetration among middle school students in Korea from different perspectives based on data from the Korean

Summary

Introduction

The increasing popularity of internet-enabled devices (e.g., smartphones) and electronic communication tools (e.g., social networking services) has substantially influenced peer interactions among adolescents in both the offline and online social contexts [1,2,3]. Since COVID-19 has drastically reduced the rate of school attendance and ability for these individuals to engage in close proximity, most traditional education methods have been replaced by the online learning format. In this environment, most instances of peer communication are being conducted via digital services and devices, including e-mail, mobile phones, and social networking services (SNS). A recent survey study reported that excessive Internet usage is increasing among adolescents in South Korea [4]; the more time they spend on digital services, the more likely they are to be exposed to cyberbullying, both nationally and internationally [5,6]

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Discussion

Conclusion