Cyber-victimization and perceived depression: Serial mediation of self-esteem and learned-helplessness

Abstract

<p><span>Literature suggests that the perception of being cyber-victimized is a stronger predictor of depression symptoms than the perception of being victimized offline, and that learned-helplessness can explain the prediction of perceived cyber-victimization on perceived depression. Nevertheless, other studies suggested that the link between perceived cyber-victimized and learned-helplessness is weakened by state self-esteem. This study investigates the double mediation effect of state self-esteem and learned-helplessness on the relationship between perceived cyber-victimized and perceived depression. 104 participants between 18 and 30 years of age (63 females, 41 males, 1 prefer not to say) have been recruited through haphazard sampling method to fill in the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale, State Self-Esteem Scale, Learned Helplessness Scale, and Beck’s Depression Inventory. Our findings suggest that the double mediation effect occurs. As a conclusion, our findings suggested that cyberbullied social media users will only fall into perceived depression when their state self-esteem is also negatively affected by their perception of being cyberbullied, up to the point where they learn that they are helpless. Further implication are discussed at the end of the paper.</span></p>

Cybervictimization and Depression among Adolescents: Coping Strategies as Mediators

“…For example, Cohen et al [ 25 ] surveyed 505 Israel adolescents and found that victims who experienced a high level of self-blame were prone to have depression and suicide ideations. This was similar to an online survey carried out by Prihadi et al [ 26 ], where findings reported that both self-esteem and learned helplessness mediated the link between perceived cybervictimisation and perceived depression. Niu et al [ 17 ] also revealed in their study on 755 Chinese adolescents that psychological security was a mediator between cybervictimization and depression, but a growth mindset could significantly alleviate the adverse effects of cyberbullying victimization on psychological security and on depression.…”

Anxiety and depression among university students during the lockdown: their protective and risk factors

“…With the lockdown and SFH policies enforced, the usage and inclination towards SM were not only improved. SM became one of the most salient sources of social feedback, which means that the lockdown population was more exposed to and affected by more detailed information about the pandemic itself, including its social implication, fake news, hoaxes, and less-educated opinions [20], as well as perceived cyber-victimization [21], misinformation [22], and unhealthy social comparison [23], that led to negative way to accept [24]. These changes might affect some socio-psychological constructs such as how people perceived that they are supported by their society, how they matter to their society, fear of not being included or informed on what happens out there, and eventually, the way they evaluate whether their life is worth living.…”

Why students tend to compare themselves with each other? The role of mattering and unconditional self-acceptance

“…The main focus of this current study is to examine whether unconditional self-acceptance can explain the protective property of mattering on social comparison among undergraduate students in Malaysia. Social comparison tendency became our main context, because social comparison theory, suggested that it is our primary motive to learn and compare ourselves with those around us to define the self [1]; nevertheless, the current trend indicates that when university students have the tendency to compare themselves with others, in terms of academic achievement [2], physical appearance [3], or general life satisfaction [4], [5] they would likely to develop emotional difficulties and mental health issues, such as uncontrolled anger and depression [6], [7], especially if they lack of ability to accept themselves unconditionally. In other words, abilities to unconditionally accept oneself keep the levels of happiness and well-being, positive self-esteem and optimism, as well as protect individuals from depression and anxiety [8], [9].…”