Social Bond Theory and Traditional and Cyberbullying Victim/Offender Overlap

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Cyberbullying is a public health issue frequently experienced by adolescents that can have detrimental effects, including mental health issues and even suicide. While prior research has found that those involved in traditional bullying are more likely to experience cyberbullying, less is known about how bonds to school and family may protect against perpetration and victimization of both types of bullying. The study uses Hirschi’s social bond theory to examine the victim/offender overlap of both traditional bullying and cyberbullying. It uses data from the Arizona Youth Survey, a survey of middle and high school students that is representative of the state of Arizona. Bivariate probit models are estimated to assess relationships between the victim/offender overlap and predictor variables consistent with social bond theory. Building on prior research, several hypotheses are tested. H1: adolescents who are more involved in traditional bullying will be more involved in cyberbullying; H2: adolescents who have a greater attachment to the family will be less involved in both traditional and cyberbullying; and H3: Adolescents who have stronger bonds to school will be less involved in traditional and cyberbullying. Implications for theory, research, and practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Md Golam Rabbani, Texas Tech University

• Natasha Pusch, Texas Tech University