Effective coping with cyberbullying in boys and girls: the mediating role of self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and social support

Abstract

There is sufficient evidence on the negative consequences of cyberbullying victimisation depending on the coping styles. Social support seeking is among the most effective strategies for coping with cybervictimisation, but it is scarcely used. The robust Maximum Likelihood (ML) method was used to test the potential mediating role of individual (self-awareness, and responsible decision-making) and contextual variables (self-perceived parental and peer support) in the relationship between cybervictimisation and social support seeking in boys and girls. This cross-sectional study collected data from 1,276 Spanish secondary school students (51.2% boys, 48.8% girls) aged 11–18 (M = 13.88, SD = 1.42). Structural equation modelling (SEM) results pointed out responsible decision-making and self-perceived parental support as relevant mediating factors for girls. By contrast, the model was not significant for boys. These findings highlight the importance of both individual and contextual variables in helping adolescents cope with cyberaggressions, considering gender differences.

Development of the Cyberbullying Awareness Scale for adolescents: Validity and reliability study

“…While some adolescents prefer to seek social support from their parents or friends in coping with cyberbullying, others may tend to avoid it. This may be due to the fear of being restricted or penalized by their parents for using technology, not being aware of some forms of cyber aggression, and even a refusal to accept the negative feelings arising from being involved in these incidents that may be perceived as unsolvable (Espino et al, 2023; Jacobs et al, 2015; Völlink et al, 2013). Adolescents exposed to cyber aggression are more likely to seek emotional or instrumental support when they know how to cope with their feelings and thoughts and when they feel supported by their parents (Espino et al, 2023).…”

“…This may be due to the fear of being restricted or penalized by their parents for using technology, not being aware of some forms of cyber aggression, and even a refusal to accept the negative feelings arising from being involved in these incidents that may be perceived as unsolvable (Espino et al, 2023; Jacobs et al, 2015; Völlink et al, 2013). Adolescents exposed to cyber aggression are more likely to seek emotional or instrumental support when they know how to cope with their feelings and thoughts and when they feel supported by their parents (Espino et al, 2023). In this respect, the way adolescents cope with cyberbullying is an important indicator of their awareness and level of knowledge about cyberbullying.…”

Digital Dilemma of Cyberbullying Victimization among High School Students: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associations with Stress and Mental Well-Being

“…The comparison of perceived stress and general psychological health between cyberbullied and non-cyberbullied students revealed significant differences between the two groups. Cyberbullied students reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress and poorer general psychological health compared to non-cyberbullied students [ 111 , 112 ]. These findings are consistent with previous research that has documented the negative psychological consequences of victimization by means of cyberbullying, including increased stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation [ 113 , 114 ].…”

Improving Student Self-awareness of Cyberbullying Victims Through Reality Counseling Services

“…The high use of technology is directly proportional to cyberbullying behavior among adolescents [1]- [3] This happens because the mental condition and developmental period of adolescents are still unstable, such as high recognition from peer groups, the search for self-identity, self-adjustment to the physical and psychological changes of adolescents, as well as the process of forming self awareness [4] The impact of cyberbullying affects all aspects of life, namely psychological, physical and social [5], especially in the psychological aspect, it will cause severe mental disorders. [6], [7] for victims, such as cyberbullying, not only has a negative impact on the victim, but the perpetrator also experiences negative personal formation, so that he has the potential to become the next victim of bullying from the environment.…”