Associations Between Bystander Reactions to Cyberbullying and Victims' Emotional Experiences and Mental Health

Ann DeSmet · Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij · Michel Walrave · Heidi Vandebosch

55 citations0/0 files storedCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking

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Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression Impact of Technology on Adolescents Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment

Abstract

Bystanders in cyberbullying may play a crucial role in reducing cyberbullying's harm for victims. This study assessed bystander responses, and the associations with adolescent victims' emotional reactions to cyberbullying and victims' mental health outcomes (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress; suicidal ideation). A total of 1037 adolescents (49.8 percent female, mean age = 15.17 years) participated in the cross-sectional study and filled out an anonymous questionnaire. Victimization was measured with a single-item scale (cybervictims) and a multiple-item scale with cyberbullying examples (youth experiencing offensive practices). Associations of positive (e.g., defending) and negative (e.g., ignoring) bystander responses with victims' emotions (8 types of emotions rated on 5-point Likert scale) were assessed through correlations; and with victims' mental health outcomes (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale [DASS-21], single item for suicidal ideation) using regression analyses, adjusting for the influence of gender and coping styles (KIDCOPE). Cybervictims (single-item scale) showed more victimization experiences, and more negative emotional and mental health outcomes than youth only experiencing offensive practices. Negative bystander responses predicted some mental health outcomes among cybervictims, but not among youth only experiencing offensive practices. Positive bystander behavior did not predict any mental health outcome. There is a clear need for cyberbullying prevention programs to include components that target bystander responses, to alleviate victims' emotional and mental health harm after cyberbullying. Attention is needed to create effective programs to reduce negative bystander behavior, while most current programs are focused on positive bystander behavior.

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2014Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth.2010Following you home from school: A critical review and synthesis of research on cyberbullying victimization 2009Bullying and the peer group: A review 2014Bullying Prevalence Across Contexts: A Meta-analysis Measuring Cyber and Traditional Bullying 2008Extending the School Grounds?—Bullying Experiences in Cyberspace 2013Psychological, Physical, and Academic Correlates of Cyberbullying and Traditional Bullying 1999Resilience in Adolescents: Protective Role of Social Support, Coping Strategies, Self-Esteem, and Social Activities on Experience of Stress and Depression 2007Involvement in traditional and electronic bullying among adolescents.

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