Retrospective Cyberbullying and Suicide Ideation: The Mediating Roles of Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness

Abstract

Research suggests that being cyberbullied is associated with increased risk for suicide ideation; however, few studies have examined the underlying mechanisms of this relation, and fewer have examined this relation within a theory of suicide. Specifically, the interpersonal theory of suicide posits that thwarted belongingness (indicated by loneliness and a lack of reciprocal caring relationships) and perceived burdensomeness (indicated by feelings of liability and self-hatred) increase risk for suicide ideation. The current study aimed to examine depressive symptoms, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness as mediators between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Participants were college students ( N = 348) who completed assessments of retrospective peer victimization, thwarted interpersonal needs (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), and suicide ideation. The results indicated that after adjusting for sexual orientation, depressive symptoms significantly mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation. Furthermore, depressive symptoms and perceived burdensomeness serially mediated the relation between intensity of being cyberbullied and suicide ideation; however, thwarted belongingness was not a significant mediator. Clinical and research implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Cyberbullying, Psychosocial Adjustment, and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescence

“…Cyberbullying victimization has also been linked to suicide ideation (Mitchell et al, 2018;Nixon, 2014;Young, Subramanian, Miles, Hinnant, & Andsager, 2016). Suicide ideation occurs when an individual repeatedly thinks about, plans, and desires to commit suicide (Beck, Kovacs, & Weissman, 1979).…”

Links Between Cyberbullying, Depression And Self-Esteem In A Sample Of Brazilian Adolescents

“…At the moment, it is not possible to compare these findings to available data in Brazil, but similar mediation role of depression was observed in studies in North America that have explored cyberbullying as predictor of suicidal ideation (Mitchell et al, 2016) and attempts of suicide (Sampasa-Kanyinga, Roumeliotis, & Xu, 2014). In this last investigation, depression fully mediated the links between cyber victimization and suicide attempts.…”

“…In addition, future research is needed to establish more diverse instruments for assessing cyberbullying. Better understanding of the pathways through which cyber-bullying emerges and affects psychological wellbeing will help educational practitioners to promote optimal development in adolescents (Gámez-Guadix et al, 2013;Mitchell et al, 2016;Smith et al, 2008;Varghese & Pistole, 2017).…”

“…It is important to investigate the links between cyberbullying, low self-esteem and depressionas they are significant risk factors for suicide among youth (Mitchell, Seegan, Roush, Brown, Sustaíta, & Cukrowicz, 2016;Varghese & Pistole, 2017). For self-esteem, research has shown that higher exposure to episodes of cyberbullying (combining the occurrence of being both victims and aggressors) in adolescents was associated with greater consequences for individuals' self-esteem (Patchin & Hinduja, 2010;Wachs et al, 2016).…”

Adolescents’ Viewing of Suicide-Related Web Content and Psychological Problems: Differentiating the Roles of Cyberbullying Involvement

“…A recent study of US undergraduate students showed that the link between intensity of cyberbullying and suicidal ideation was mediated by depression when controlling for sexual orientation. 42 While previous studies among school-aged adolescents have shown that depression mediated the relationship between frequency of bullying and suicide attempts for traditional bullies but not for cyberbullies, and the link between cyber or traditional victimisation with suicide attempts existed only for females. 19 Similarly, the link of bullying with suicidal-ideation and self-harm disappeared for bullies but not for victims or…”