The potential role of subjective wellbeing and gender in the relationship between bullying or cyberbullying and suicidal ideation

Abstract

Bullying and cyberbullying are common problems all over the world. One of their consequences can be suicidal ideation. A better understanding of the mechanisms that link them to suicidal ideation is needed in order to develop effective prevention and intervention initiatives. Subjective wellbeing is a potential mechanism that has not been studied within this framework. The present study examined whether subjective wellbeing could serve as a mediator or moderator of the relationship between bullying or cyberbullying and suicidal ideation, and whether these relationships were moderated by gender. Participants were 1664 students aged 14–19 (M = 16.12; SD = 1.36), 53% female, from 34 secondary schools in Spain. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess bullying, cyberbullying via the Internet, cyberbullying via the mobile phone, suicidal ideation, and subjective wellbeing. Results showed that the effects of all types of bullying on suicidal ideation were mediated by subjective wellbeing, and that these mediations were gender dependent for bullying and cyberbullying-mobile phone. However, neither subjective wellbeing nor gender moderated the relationship between bullying or cyberbullying and suicidal ideation. Findings support the development of prevention strategies to reduce bullying, cyberbullying and suicidal ideation in adolescents by taking subjective wellbeing and gender into account.