Do cyberbullies develop depressive symptoms? A longitudinal multi-study

Abstract

Purpose Researchers have adequately explored the impact of cyberbullying on the mental health of cyber victims. However, its ill effects on cyberbullies are yet to be examined sufficiently. Moreover, existing studies have not answered why cyberbullying leads to mental health issues among cyberbullies. Therefore, to bridge these gaps, this study examined the relationship between cyberbullying (two factors, HCA and GCC) and depressive symptoms among cyberbullies. Also, the study examined the mediating effects of guilt and fear as a mechanism that explains the development of depressive symptoms among cyberbullies. Methods Two studies (college students and working professionals) were conducted through three-wave data collection. The relationships between the two dimensions of cyberbullying and depression were examined using correlation and hierarchical regression analysis. Demographic variables like age and gender were used as control variables. Mediation effects were analysed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Findings: The correlation and hierarchical regression suggest that HCA and GCC significantly predict depressive symptoms among cyberbullies, and age and gender (control variables) are not significant predictors. The PROCESS macro results indicated a significant mediation effect of fear and guilt, thereby suggesting that they act as mechanisms explaining the development of depressive symptoms in cyberbullies. Originality: It is the first of its kind of study that suggests that cyberbullies also develop depressive symptoms out of their act of cyberbullying others. Secondly, it is a pioneer study that suggests guilt and fear can mediate the relationship between cyberbullying perpetration/attitude and depressive symptoms in cyberbullies, especially in the Indian context.