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

Abstract

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 metaanalysis and identify the moderating variables that could help to explain the various correlations. Method: A search for crosssectional 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. Ansiedad y depresión por cibervictimización en adolescentes: un meta-análisis y un estudio de meta-regresión R E S U M E NAntecedentes/Objetivo: El ciberacoso es uno de los problemas sociales de mayor preocupación en los ámbitos educativos, especialmente en la adolescencia, en la que las experiencias de victimización se han asociado a episodios de ansiedad y depresión. Se diseñó un estudio con el objetivo de analizar la relación entre cibervictimización, ansiedad y depresión en la adolescencia mediante un meta-análisis e identificar las variables moderadoras que podrían ayudar a explicar las distintas correlaciones. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda de estudios transversales en las bases de datos Web of Science, Scopus y PsycINFO. De los 156 estudios identificados, finalmente 13, con un total de 7,348 participantes, cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: Los resultados sugieren correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre cibervictimización y ansiedad (r = .31) y cibervictimización y depresión (r = .28). El análisis de meta-regresión mostró que el porcentaje de mujeres y continente son variables moderadoras en la relación de cibervictimización con depresión y ansiedad. Conclusiones: En conclusión, el mal uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación puede provocar un desajuste psicológico y social de las personas, con repercusiones negativas en su desarrollo.

Network Analysis of Emotional Symptoms and their Relationship with Different Types of Cybervictimization

“…Victims of cyberbullying show a significantly higher prevalence of major depressive disorder than those who are not (Mallik & Radwan, 2020;Thai et al, 2022). Previous studies have shown cyberbullying to be a risk factor in increased depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents (Evangelio et al, 2022;Molero et al, 2022). This could in turn lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, and less wellbeing.…”

“…Girls' problems with emotional management have also been found to be related to victimization, but not boys' (Rodríguez-Álvarez et al, 2021). It has also been shown that depression, and especially anxiety, may be caused by cybervictimization, particularly in women (Molero et al, 2022). All the above suggests that gender may be related to possible negative results of cyberbullying.…”

Is the Self-reported Information by Male Sentenced of Violence against Women in the Intervention Phase Valid?

“…This includes the denial or concealment of symptoms -negative dissimulation -and the social desirability -positive dissimulation -, that is, the assumption of positive characteristics that are not present (fabricated) or the concealment of negative characteristics to convey a favorable image of oneself, being able to be conscious -impression managementor unconscious -self-deception - (Paulhus, 1984). Dissimulation must be suspected in the evaluation of populations in intervention for behavior problems or for violent behaviors (Molero et al, 2022;Nasaescu et al, 2020); of prison inmates (Arce et al, 2014;Martín et al, 2019;Redondo et al, 2022); in risk assessment (Jugl et al, 2021); and in the forensic evaluation of family courts (Arce et al, 2015;Baer & Miller, 2002). Overall, dissimulation is more difficult to classify correctly than simulation (Baer & Miller, 2002), because the task involves less cognitive activity of the individual and, consequently, less measure of the construct (validity) (Arce et al, 2015).…”

Victimization and depressive symptoms in early adolescence: The role of perceived school climate.

“…Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that cyber victimization may be even more harmful than early bullying research suggested, given that victims of traditional bullying may escape from painful interpersonal experiences upon leaving the school setting, but victims of cyber bullying have less opportunity to escape a virtual setting that permeates across mesosystems and may reach a much larger audience of peers witnessing the victimization. A meta-analysis ( n = 13 studies) found the association between cyber victimization and depression in adolescents to be r = .28 with moderate-to-large effect sizes (Molero et al, 2022). A larger, cross-cultural meta-analysis ( n = 56 studies) that investigated the association between cyber victimization and depression in children and adolescents found a moderate effect size (Yuchang et al, 2019).…”