Cyber victimization by peers: Prospective associations with adolescent social anxiety and depressive symptoms

Abstract

Peer victimization that occurs via electronic media, also termed cybervictimization, is a growing area of concern for adolescents. The current study evaluated the short-term prospective relationship between cybervictimization and adolescents' symptoms of social anxiety and depression over a six-week period. Participants were 839 high-school aged adolescents (14e18 years; 58% female; 73% Hispanic White), who completed measures of traditional peer victimization, cybervictimization, depression, and social anxiety at two time points. Findings supported the distinctiveness of cybervictimization as a unique form of peer victimization. Furthermore, only cybervictimization was associated with increased levels of depressive symptoms over time, and only relational victimization was associated with increased social anxiety over time, after controlling for the comorbidity of social anxiety and depression among youth. Cybervictimization appears to be a unique form of victimization that contributes to adolescents' depressive symptoms and may be important to target in clinical and preventive interventions for adolescent depression.

When ‘friends’ collide: Social heterogeneity and user vulnerability on social network sites

“…Online risks can take on many forms (Hasebrink, Görzig, Haddon, Kalmus, & Livingstone, 2011) including threats to data privacy, online gossip and rumours, incidents of online harassment such as cyber stalking and exposure to inappropriate and unwanted content (boyd & Ellison, 2008). Recent and substantial increases in the prevalence of such adverse online experiences (BBC News, 2015;Jones, Mitchell & Finkelhor, 2013) have been linked to detrimental consequences such as depression (Landoll, La Greca, Lai, Chan & Herge, 2015) and suicide (Hinduja andPatchin, 2010, Washington Post, 2013). 4 Studies which have sought to find associations between SNS use and online vulnerability have so far relied mostly on self-report measures (Binder, Howes & Smart, 2012;Fogel & Nehmad, 2009;).…”

Adolescents’ Perceptions on Smartphone Applications (Apps) for Health Management

“…Studies show that the stigma, excessive exercise, and teasing resulting from weight preoccupation can contribute to depressive symptoms. 18,19 Additionally, a strong emphasis on weight may propel teenagers who are weight-or imageconscious to attempt extraneous exercise or dieting with potential serious risks. 20 Therefore, we recommend that health apps steer away from a narrow weight-focus and instead target lifestyle behaviors conducive to optimal health.…”

Cyberbullying y las estrategias de afrontamiento en adolescentes del sur de Brasil

“…Esse tipo de agressão tem sido associado a sintomas depressivos, ansiedade social e baixa autoestima (Baker & Tanrikulu, 2010;Jung et al, 2014;Nixon, 2014;Landoll, La Greca, Lai, Chan, & Herge, 2015). Além disso, estudos indicam relação entre vitimização por cyberbullying e níveis elevados de desconfiança, raiva, culpa e solidão nos envolvidos (Beran & Li, 2005;Brewer & Kerslake, 2015;Lonigro et al, 2014).…”