Cybervictimization In Adolescents Research Articles

Adolescent Cybervictimization in 31 Countries: The Gender Gap, Gendered Opportunity, and the Contextual Influence of Gender Stratification

Abstract This study examined the gender gap, gendered opportunity, and the contextual influence of gender inequality and women’s absolute status with respect to online stalking victimization and online image-based victimization (IBV) among youths in 31 countries. Descriptive analysis allowed for comparison of prevalence of online stalking and IBV across gender. We estimated sex-specific hierarchical logistic regression models that examined the relationships between indicators of risky lifestyle, social attachments, physical/social vulnerability and online stalking victimization and IBV. We estimated multilevel models that focused on the linear and curvilinear effects of country-level gender inequality and women’s absolute status (WAS) on the average country-level odds of online stalking victimization and IBV. There were both cross-gender similarities and differences regarding the individual-level correlates of both types of adolescent cybervictimization examined. Countries that had relatively greater gender inequality tended to exhibit a higher prevalence of boys’ and girls’ victimization. Findings suggest that student-level programs should address risk, vulnerability, and protective factors across the three student life domains of risky lifestyle, social attachments, and physical and social vulnerability. Addressing risky lifestyle seems particularly important for reducing girls’ victimization. Moreover, reducing gender inequality or increasing women’s absolute status can play a role in reducing youth online victimization generally.

A quantitative analysis of factors related to adolescent cybervictimization in Spain: A multilevel logistic regression approach

Building on ecological systems theory, this study seeks to explain cybervictimization as the result of interactions among microsystems (parents and close friends), mesosystems (the school environment), and potential vulnerability factors of adolescents. Internet addiction is proposed as a key risk factor that increases adolescents’ likelihood of suffering cyberbullying. A multilevel logistic regression is performed using data from a nationally representative sample of school students in Spain aged 14–18 years (n = 35,369). The survey was carried out by the Spanish Government’s Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs. Results show that high levels of Internet addiction and a lack of support from family and friends increase the probability of suffering cyberbullying. The association between being cyberbullied and Internet addiction is stronger when students lack support from family and friends. School factors such as academic grades and repetition as well as vulnerability factors such as parents’ employment and immigrant status are also associated with higher cybervictimization levels. Implications for policymakers and public health managers are highlighted.

Incidence and demographic correlates of self-reported cyber-victimization among adolescent respondents

Cyber-victimization, understood as the suffering of aggressions through electronic media, is undoubtedly the greatest concern of socio-educational communities. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of cyber-victimization in adolescents and to analyze the relationship between cyber-victimization and several demographic variables. We administered the Cyber-Victimization Questionnaire and an ad hoc demographic questionnaire to a sample of 866 Compulsive Secondary Education (CSE) students aged 12 to 16 years (M = 13.81, SD = 1.25). The data revealed a percentage of cyber-victimization of 22.18% with a greater presence of verbal-written cyber-victimization. Among the most common actions of cyber-victimization are receiving calls with the intention of annoying or making fun of the victim and sending unpleasant photos or videos through mobile phone or the Internet. Likewise, the variance and post hoc analysis show that personal (gender), family (type of family) and school variables (type of center, course, and academic record) are statistically significant risk factors in cyber-victimization. In conclusion, this study identifies relevant personal, family and school variables to help structure prevention and intervention strategies in cyber-victimization from educational communities.

Investigation of Internet Addiction, Cyberbullying, and Cyber Victimization in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Relationship with Anxiety and Depression

Investigation of Internet Addiction, Cyberbullying, and Cyber Victimization in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Relationship with Anxiety and Depression

Cyber-harassment victimization of Portuguese adolescents: A lifestyle-routine activities theory approach.

Cyber-harassment refers to a pattern of repeated, intentional, and unwanted annoyances, impositions, threats, or other aggravating actions mediated by Information and Communication Technologies. Globally, substantial proportions of adolescents experience cyber-harassment, resulting in a host of deleterious health-related consequences. This study tested the empirical utility of the Lifestyle-Routine Activities Theory in accounting for adolescent cyber-victimization. A representative sample of 627 adolescents, aged 12-16, enrolled in schools from northern Portugal and Azores, were surveyed. Consistent with the theoretical assumptions, older adolescents, who used tablets, published information on social network profiles, added unknown people as friends, met face-to-face with them, and had parents with less knowledge of their online contacts were at increased risk of being cyber-victimized. Theoretical and practical implications are elaborated.

Anxiety and Depression from Cybervictimization in Adolescents: A Metaanalysis and Meta-regression Study

Background/Objective: Cyberbullying is one of the social problems of most concern in educational spheres, especially in adolescence, where victimization experiences have been associated with episodes of anxiety and depression. The aim of this work was to analyze the relationship between cybervictimization, anxiety and depression in adolescence in a meta-analysis and identify the moderating variables that could help to explain the various correlations.Method: A search for cross-sectional studies was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. Of the 156 studies identified, finally 13 met inclusion criteria, with a total of 7,348 participants.Results: The results show statistically significant correlations between cybervictimization and anxiety (r = .31) and cybervictimization and depression (r = .28), with moderate-to-large effect sizes. The meta-regression analysis showed that the percentage of women and continent are moderating variables in the relationship between cybervictimization with depression and anxiety.Conclusions: In conclusion, misuse of the new information and communication technologies can lead to psychological and social maladjustment of individuals, with negative repercussions on their development.

Describing Disclosure of Cybervictimization in Adolescents from the United Kingdom: The Role of Age, Gender, Involvement in Cyberbullying, and Time Spent Online

ABSTRACT Disclosing experiences of cybervictimization is an important first step in many anti-bullying interventions. Gender, age, cybervictimization experiences, cyberbullying behaviors, and time spent online were examined as factors that describe: (a) disclosing cybervictimization and (b) perceptions of helpfulness following disclosure. The sample comprised 750 (384 boys and 365 girls, M age = 12.57 years, SD age = 1.25 years) 11- to 15-year-olds recruited from two schools. Participants completed self-report measures of cybervictimization experiences, cyberbullying behaviors, intent to disclose cybervictimization, who they thought would be helpful following disclosing cybervictimization, and technology use. Over 88% of the sample reported that they would disclose cybervictimization. Girls and those experiencing low levels of cybervictimization reported they would disclose cybervictimization. Those who were older, and girls reported that they thought friends would be helpful following a disclosure of cybervictimization, whereas those who were younger reported that parents and the police would be helpful. A Gaussian graphical model was used to further explore perceptions of helpfulness following disclosure of cybervictimization and highlighted a complex pattern between targets. The findings add to the growing evidence of the complexity around adolescents’ propensity to disclose experiences of cybervictimization which has implications for anti-bullying interventions.

Cyberbullying Prevention for Adolescents: Iterative Qualitative Methods for Mobile Intervention Design.

BackgroundCybervictimization among adolescents is associated with multiple negative mental health consequences. Although pediatricians often screen for cyberbullying, validated and acceptable programs to reduce the frequency and impact of adolescent cybervictimization are lacking.ObjectiveThis study uses agile qualitative methods to refine and evaluate the acceptability of a mixed-modality intervention, initiated within the context of usual pediatric care, for adolescents with a history of cyberharassment and cyberbullying victimization.MethodsThree groups of adolescents were successively recruited from an urban primary care clinic to participate in three consecutive iterations (1, 2, and 3) of the program, which consisted of a brief in-clinic intervention followed by 8 weeks of daily, automated SMS text messaging. After 2 weeks of messaging, iteration 1 (I1) participants completed semistructured interviews regarding intervention experiences. Participant feedback was evaluated via framework matrix analysis to guide changes to the program for iteration 2 (I2). Feedback from 2-week interviews of I2 participants was similarly used to improve the program before initiating iteration 3 (I3). Participants in all 3 iterations completed the interviews after completing the program (8 weeks). Daily response rates assessed participant engagement, and satisfaction questionnaires assessed acceptability.ResultsA total of 19 adolescents (aged 13-17 years) reporting past-year cybervictimization were enrolled: 7 in I1, 4 in I2, and 8 in I3. Demographic variables included the following: a mean age of 15 (SD 1.5) years; 58% (11/19) female, 42% (8/19) male, 63% (12/19) Hispanic, 37% (7/19) non-Hispanic, 79% (15/19) people of color, and 21% (4/19) White. A total of 73% (14/19) self-identified as having a low socioeconomic status, and 37% (7/19) self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The average past 12-month cybervictimization score at baseline was 8.2 (SD 6.58; range 2-26). Participant feedback was used to iteratively refine intervention content and design. For example, participants in I1 recommended that the scope of the intervention be expanded to include web-based conflicts and drama, rather than narrowly focusing on cyberbullying prevention. On the basis of this feedback, the I2 content was shifted toward more general de-escalation skills and bystander empowerment. Overall, 88.34% (940/1064) of the daily queries sent to participants across all 3 iterations received a reply. Participant satisfaction improved considerably with each iteration; 0% (0/7) of I1 participants rated the overall quality of Intervention to Prevent Adolescent Cybervictimization with Text message as excellent, compared to 50% (2/4) of I2 participants and 86% (6/7) of I3 participants. Engagement also improved between the first and third iterations, with participants replying to 59.9% (235/392) of messages in I1, compared to 79.9% (358/488) of messages in I3.ConclusionsThis study shows the value of structured participant feedback gathered in an agile intervention refinement methodology for the development of a technology-based intervention targeting adolescents.

Cyber victimization in adolescence: A qualitative study

The aim of this study is to examine the individual experiences and opinions of adolescent cyberbullying victims on cyber victimization. A case study pattern, one of the qualitative research methods, has been used in the research. The working group of the research comprised 17 adolescents studying at a high school in the city of Antalya in Turkey who had been exposed to cyberbullying. In the study, a cyber victimization scale has been used to identify adolescents who were exposed to cyberbullying. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted by determining the adolescents who had high scores and were therefore exposed to cyberbullying. The inductive content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the interviews. As a result of the research, it has been found that the adolescents who had been exposed to cyberbullying described the practice as annoying and bad behavior, the type of cyber victimization that they had experienced was being called from a secret number, they knew who the perpetrator was, they felt high levels of fear and anger when they were exposed to cyberbullying and they shared this with their friends. According to the results of the study, various recommendations are provided for educators, researchers, and families.

Analysis on the Construction of Character Strengths from the Phenomenon of Adolescent Cyber victimization under the Background of Positive Psychology

优势品格；网络侵害；需求层次理论；青少年

The Impact of Remote Recruitment and Intervention on Adolescents At-Risk for Cybervictimization

Background Although online recruitment is increasingly used for studies, the representativeness of populations recruited this way is largely unknown. This study, completed prior to COVID-19, compares the reach and representativeness of recruitment for an adolescent cybervictimization intervention using in-person versus online methods. Methods In Study A, English-speaking adolescents ages 13-17 were recruited in-person at a hospital-based pediatric clinic to participate in a hybrid cybervictimization intervention program (N=38). In a separate, subsequent study (Study B), adolescents of the same age were recruited remotely via Instagram advertisements to participate in a fully online cybervictimization program (N=79). Screening, 8-week post-enrollment, and 16-week post-enrollment surveys consisted of validated measures divided into four sub-groups (Demographics, At-Risk Factors, Support Factors, and User Experience). Statistical analyses were performed using R Results Chi-square tests revealed participants were not significantly different for six of 10 demographic measures. Study B participants were underrepresented in low socioeconomic status, Hispanic identity, and non-white race. However, significantly more remote participants identified as non-heterosexual, an identity associated with notably increased risk for cyberbullying. T-tests revealed participants in Study B demonstrated significantly more risky behavior for eight of 12 measures. By 16-week follow up, all risky behavior measures were not significantly different between the two groups, largely due to decreasing reported risk in Study B participants following intervention. Participants in both studies were not significantly different for two of three Support measures. However, Study A subjects reported significantly less perceived social support, the only non-demographic measure in which those recruited in-person exhibited more risk for cybervictimization. User experience was not significantly different between cohorts. Discussion Results of this study demonstrate remote methodology enhances access to at-risk adolescents without compromising the success of the subsequent intervention. Conclusion Findings should serve as evidence of the acceptability and feasibility of remote recruitment and a call to action for further cyberbullying intervention research.

Prevalence and psychosocial predictors of cyberaggression and cybervictimization in adolescents: A Spain-Ecuador transcultural study on cyberbullying.

The present study aims to collect data about the prevalence of cyberbullying and the role of self-esteem, empathy, and social skills in predicting cybervictimization and cyberaggression in two different countries: Spain and Ecuador. Additionally, it compares the similarities found in both countries. A wide sample of adolescents from Secondary Education (N = 24943; mean age = 13.92; SD = 1.30, girls = 49.9%) from both countries (Spain = 14,206 and Ecuador = 10,737) took part by filling in a set of self-reports. Weighted analyses and structural equation models were used. The results revealed that 8.8% were cybervictims, 3.1% were cyberaggressors and 4.9% cybervictims-cyberaggressors in Spain; whereas 8.7% were cybervictims, 5.1% were cyberaggressors and 14.3% were cybervictims-cyberaggressors in Ecuador. Cybervictimization could be predicted in both countries by means of self-deprecation and social skills, although the meaning of some skills was different depending on the country. Cyberaggression could be predicted in both countries by means of empathy, assertiveness, and conflict-resolution skills, as well as by communicative and relational skills. Self-deprecation was a predictor of cyberaggression only in Spain. These results are discussed, and educational inferences are drawn for prevention.

Associations Between Cybervictimization and Well-Being in Emerging Adulthood.

Outcomes associated with cybervictimization in adolescence have been heavily studied, although less research has examined these associations in emerging adulthood. This study was designed to examine links between cybervictimization and social and emotional well-being, and internalizing and externalizing behavior in a sample of 447 college and noncollege attending emerging adults. Results suggest that cybervictimization is problematic for social and emotional well-being, internalizing, and externalizing behavior. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating prevention programs and antibullying campaigns for individuals in the emerging adult age group, and provides suggestions for future research.

Cybervictimization in adolescence and its association with subsequent suicidal ideation/attempt beyond face-to-face victimization: a longitudinal population-based study.

Cross-sectional associations have been documented between cybervictimization and suicidal risk; however, prospective associations remain unclear. Participants were members of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD), a prospective birth cohort of 2,120 individuals followed from birth (1997/98) to age 17years (2014/15). Cybervictimization and face-to-face victimization experienced since the beginning of the school year, as well as serious suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt were self-reported at ages 13, 15 and 17years. In cross-sectional analyses at 13, 15 and 17years, adolescents cybervictimized at least once had, respectively, 2.3 (95% CI=1.64-3.19), 4.2 (95% CI=3.27-5.41) and 3.5 (95% CI=2.57-4.66) higher odds of suicidal ideation/attempt after adjusting for confounders including face-to-face victimization, prior mental health symptoms and family hardship. Sensitivity analyses suggested that cybervictimization only and both cyber- and face-to-face victimization were associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation/attempt compared to face-to-face victimization only and no victimization; however, analyses were based on small n. In prospective analyses, cybervictimization was not associated with suicidal ideation/attempt 2years later after accounting for baseline suicidal ideation/attempt and other confounders. In contrast, face-to-face victimization was associated with suicidal ideation/attempt 2years later in the fully adjusted model, including cybervictimization. The cross-sectional association between cybervictimization and suicidal ideation/attempt is independent from face-to-face victimization. The absence of a prospective association suggested short-term effects of cybervictimization on suicidal ideation/attempt.

The Effect of Parental Control on Cyber-Victimization in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of Impulsivity and High-Risk Behaviors.

The aim of this work is to analyze the relationship between parental control and cyber-victimization in adolescence, considering the possible mediating effect of impulsivity, and high-risk internet behavior. To that end we analyzed the responses of 3360 adolescents aged between 11 and 18 (M = 14.02; SD = 1.40), from Asturias (Spain), to four previously validated questionnaires in order to measure the level of parental control over the use of the internet (restriction and supervision), along with high-risk internet behaviors, impulsivity, and cyber-victimization in the adolescents. The results show that parental control tends to have a protective effect on the likelihood of the children being victims of cyber-aggression, with impulsivity, and high-risk internet behaviors as mediating variables. More specifically, parental restriction and supervision are positively related to each other; both forms of parental control are negatively related with the adolescent’s engaging in high-risk internet behaviors; supervision is negatively related with impulsivity; impulsivity is positively related with high-risk internet behaviors; and both impulsivity and high-risk internet behaviors are positively related to being a victim of cyber-aggression. The practical implications of these results are discussed.

Cybervictimization and Suicide Risk in Adolescence: An Integrative Model of Social Media and Suicide Theories

Accumulating research suggests that cybervictimization is associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents. However, the means by which cybervictimization may influence suicide risk remain unclear. This lack of knowledge is concerning, given widespread use of online communication among youth and the devastating public impact of suicide in adolescence. One reason for this gap in the literature is that relevant frameworks have emerged from disparate academic traditions. Contemporary social media researchers have drawn on computer-mediated communication and media effects theories to characterize the impact of social media on peer processes. Traditional suicide researchers have identified factors contributing to suicide risk. However, these frameworks have never been synthesized to demonstrate how adolescent cybervictimization influences suicide risk. Thus, the purpose of this review is twofold. First, existing research on adolescent cybervictimization and suicidal thoughts and behaviors is summarized. Then, the social media “transformation framework” and interpersonal suicide theories are integrated to provide a new model of the impact of cybervictimization on adolescent suicide risk. The proposed model describes how unique features of the social media environment (e.g., publicness, availability, quantifiability) shape the experience of cybervictimization and associated interpersonal risk factors for suicide. This framework may serve as a theoretical guide for future interdisciplinary approaches to the study of adolescent cybervictimization and suicide.

The Relationship between Irrational Beliefs, Resilience, Psychological Needs, Cyberbullying and Cyber Victimization

The aim of this research is to reveal whether resilience, irrational beliefs and psychological needs are significant predictors of cyberbullying and cyber victimization in adolescents. The research sample consisted of 849 students that studied in a high school. Personal Information Form, Revised Cyberbullying Inventory, Irrational Beliefs Scale Adolescent Form, Child and Youth Resilience Scale Brief Form and New Psychological Needs Evaluation Scale were used for data collection. Results showed that, 14.9%, 18.6% and 8.9% of the students were cyberbullies, cyber victims and cyberbullies/ cyber victims, respectively. According to the results, boys who participated in the study showed that they experienced more cyber bullying (X =1.28) than girls (X =1.23). Similarly, the mean score of boys in cyber victimization (X =1.27) was higher than females (X =1.23). In terms of parental attitudes, students who are exposed to unrelated parental attitudes are more likely to be cyber bullies. On the other hand, students exposed to oppressive parental attitudes experience more cyber victimization. It was also found that irrational beliefs, resilience and psychological needs (success, dominance, autonomy and need for relationship) significantly predicted cyber bullying and victimization. The findings will provide a better understanding of cyberbullying behaviors of adolescents and other variables such as psychological needs and beliefs, which are a significant consequence of parental behavior and parent child interaction.

Exploring Adolescent Cyber Victimization in Mobile Games: Preliminary Evidence from a British Cohort

Mobile games, those played on smartphones and tablets, are rapidly becoming a dominant form of entertainment for young people. Given most of these games provide opportunities for competitive and cooperative play, they have the potential to build and enhance existing social relationships and might also provide an avenue for negative social experiences such as bullying or trolling behaviors. Unfortunately, little is understood about the prevalence or effects of cyberbullying for young people in this new form of electronic play. The present research, conducted in March 2018, surveyed a large and representative cohort of British adolescents and their caregivers (n = 2,008) with the aim of building an empirical understanding of this phenomenon. Adolescents were asked about their play habits and experiences, and caregivers provided data on their children's socioeconomic and demographic background and psychosocial functioning. Of key interest was estimating how frequently adolescents encounter bullying in mobile games, the extent to which bullying impacts them, and the sources of support adolescents seek following these events. Results indicated that bullying in mobile games is relatively common (33.5%), although less than 1 in 10 experiences serious repeated bullying (9.3%). Analysis showed males, players from a minority ethnicity, and those whose caregivers identified as having conduct problems, were the most likely to report significant victimization. Furthermore, nearly 4 in 10 (39.4%) reported feeling fairly or very upset by the experience and parents (49.3%), not gaming platforms (4.2%), were most likely to be sought out for support after bullying was experienced. Results are discussed with respect to this soon-to-be expanding research area and recommendations for the use of open scientific methodologies are provided.

Psychometric Properties of the CYBVICS Cyber-Victimization Scale and Its Relationship with Psychosocial Variables

The main goal of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the revised version of the Adolescent Cyber-Victimization Scale (CYBVICS). This scale is composed of 18 items that assess direct and indirect cyber-victimization. Two subsamples participated in the present study. Sample 1 included 1318 adolescents (47.4% boys) from 12 to 16 years old (M = 13.89, SD = 1.32). Sample 2 was composed of 1188 adolescents (51.5% girls) from 12 to 16 years old (M = 14.19, SD = 1.80). First, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on sample 1. Results yielded a bifactor structure: direct cyber-victimization and indirect cyber-victimization. To confirm the structure of the CYBVICS, we selected sample 2 to perform confirmatory factor analysis and test its convergent validity with theoretically related measures. The results supported the reliability and validity of the two-factor model. In addition, measurement invariance was established. Related to convergent validity, positive correlations between cyber-victimization and peer victimization, depressive symptoms, and offensive communication with the mother and the father were found. Moreover, negative correlations were found between cyber-victimization and open communication with the mother and the father and family self-esteem.

Co-ocurrencia e interrelaciones entre la victimización, cybervictimización, bullying y cyberbullying en adolescentes.

The objective of this work was to explore at four points in time the co-occurrence and interrelations between victimization and cybervictimization in adolescents, on the one hand, and between bullying and cyberbullying, on the other. An intentional sample of 450 students from two high schools in Parana, Entre Rios, was set up. Some 54% were male; the average age was 15.6 years. The participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Olweus Aggressors/Victims Questionnaire and the Calvete et al. Cyberbullying Questionnaire. The results indicated a low percentage of co-occurrence for victimization and cybervictimization in the four instances (5%, 3%, 4% and 4%). Regarding the degree of co-occurrence between bullying and cyberbullying, it was also low (4%, 2%, 4% and 3%). Two adjusted structural autoregressive cross-lagged models indicated that previous victimization scores were predictors of later victimization, and the same for cybervictimization, bullying and cyberbullying. Likewise, there were bidirectional effects between victimization and cybervictimization throughout the four periods, on the one hand, and between bullying and cyberbullying, on the other. However, the paths were a little more significant from victimization to cybervictimization, and more significant from cyberbullying to bullying. In the discussion these findings are analyzed from various theoretical contributions to explain interrelations. Also, we provide the limitations of this study.