Cyberbullying victimization and depression in youth: The role of ineffectiveness and negative mood

• In Event: Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Topic - Social Relationships

Abstract

Cyberbullying has gained substantial attention over the last years. Described as intentional, aggressive type of behavior, cyberbullying usually takes place in digital platforms and via mobile phones. Its prevalence fluctuates, although higher values of cyberbullying victimization (CBV) rather than cyberbullying perpetration have been reported. Additionally, there has been support that victims of traditional bullying and those suffering with depression present higher risks for CBV. Nonetheless, evidence accumulated so far failed to provide specific associations between CBV and depressive symptoms. The absence of specific information could obstruct efforts against cyberbullying. This cross-sectional study sought to explore differential links between CBV and depressive symptoms (i.e., anhedonia, ineffectiveness, interpersonal problems, negative mood, and negative self-esteem) in early adolescents. Hypotheses for this study stated that higher CBV experiences would be positively associated with self-reported depression and that specific depressive symptoms – especially ineffectiveness, interpersonal problems, and negative mood – would predict CBV. Sample size calculation considered an average effect size (|ρ|) of .24, with 95% of power and α ≤ .05, resulting in 206 participants. Hence, 268 adolescents between 13 to 15 years-old (50.7% female) responded to the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI; α = .84) and to the Revised Cyberbullying Inventory (RCBI; α = .84). CBV was positively associated with all CDI's domains, with Pearson’s correlations ranging between .14 to .31 (p < .001). Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out to test for the study’s second hypothesis. Age and gender were entered in the first block; in the second, the five CDI subscales were included. Bootstrapping with 10,000 samples was used, and 95% bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Demographics did not predict CBV; however, ineffectiveness (β = .46, p = .037; 95% BCa CI: .05, .88) and negative mood (β = .37, p = .047; 95% BCa CI: .02, .75) significantly predicted CBV (F(7,237) = 5.86, p < .001; Adj. R2 = .12). The fact that both ineffectiveness and negative mood explained CBV reinforces the importance of imbalance of power in cyberbullying research. It is possible to assume that inefficacy and depression might be connected with lack of power against cyberbullying perpetrators, which could inform more tailored interventions and focused research.

Authors

• Guilherme Welter Wendt, Western Paraná State University
  Presenting Author

• Tomasz Bloniewski, Goldsmiths, University of London
  Non-Presenting Author