Longitudinal Evidence for a Cyclic Process Model on Cyberbullying With Media Use as Amplifying Factor

• In Event: Online Harassment and Victimization

Abstract

The present study examined the underlying processes of cyberbullying and reciprocal influences of having been bullied, related feelings of anger and frustration, and exposure to media with antisocial and risk behavior content. We proposed a Cyclic Process Model, in which anger and frustration of a bullied adolescent drives him/her to media with antisocial and risk behavior content which further instigates to perform cyberbullying behavior oneself. The adolescent gets caught up in a cyclic loop, since cyberbullies often become victims again. In a longitudinal design with three waves, we tested this model among adolescent participants (N = 1002). Results showed that the Cyclic Process Model holds both within waves (cross-sectional) and across waves (longitudinal). Furthermore, the results provide evidence for the feedback loop from cyberbullying to victimization. Therefore, this study provides unique insights into the underlying mechanisms of cyberbullying and how it evolves over time.

Authors

• Anouk H. den Hamer, VU University

• Elly A. Konijn, VU University - Amsterdam

• Marja Aartsen, VU U Amsterdam

• Jolanda Veldhuis, VU U Amsterdam

• Marloes Spekman, VU U Amsterdam