The Buffering Effect of Perceived Parental Social Support in the Longitudinal Relationship Between Homophobic Cyberbullying and LGBTQIA Adolescents’ Health Outcomes

Abstract

This 1-year longitudinal study examined the moderating effect of perceived parental social support in the associations between homophobic cyberbullying involvement (victimization and bystanding) and suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-harm, and subjective health complaints among 467 adolescents ( Mage = 13.81 years; 59% female) who identified as LGBTQIA. Results showed that homophobic cyberbullying involvement were both related positively to suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-harm, and subjective health complaints 1 year later. Parental support did not moderate the relationship between homophobic cyberbullying involvement and subjective health complaints. However, parental support moderated the relationship between homophobic cyberbullying involvement (both victimization and bystanding) and suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-harm. Hence, the present study highlights the need for more research on homophobic cyberbullying, the crucial role parents can play in mitigating negative outcomes of involvement in homophobic cyberbullying, and the development of inclusive anti-cyberbullying prevention programs that acknowledge the needs of LGBTQIA adolescents.