Effectiveness of coping strategies for victims of cyberbullying

Abstract

Although cyberbullying is a well-studied online risk, little is known about the effectiveness of various coping strategies for its victims. Therefore, this study on 2,092 Czech children aged 12-18 examined which coping strategies were applied most often and to what extent victims of cyber aggression judged them to be effective. Effectiveness was measured in two ways: the extent to which the coping strategy buffered negative emotions, and the extent to which it stopped the cyber aggression. The subsample of 422 respondents (68% girls) who experienced online attacks was divided into two groups: victims of cyberbullying, who experienced long-term and severe victimization, and victims of less severe online harassment. The selection of strategies was compared between these groups and the most prevalent and effective strategies were identified. Overall, respondents in both groups used more than one strategy at once, but for victims of cyberbullying, most of the strategies proved less effective. Both groups showed similar patterns in their use of technical solutions, and both quite frequently sought social support. Also, both groups showed a low tendency for retaliation. Large differences were found in how respondents employed cognitive responses, such as trying to detach mentally from bullying incidents; these strategies were less frequent among victims of cyberbullying. In terms of effectiveness, victims of harassment considered technical solutions such as blocking contacts on social websites, seeking support, or ignoring the bully on purpose the most effective in stopping victimization, as opposed to victims of cyberbullying, who found them less effective, even though they used them as frequently as victims of online harassment. Differences in the effectiveness of coping strategies are discussed with regard to the intervention and prevention of cyberbullying.

Media representations and children’s discourses on online risks: Findings from qualitative research in nine European countries

“…Other scholars have also pointed to different degrees of cyber aggression, noting, however, that victims of less serious online harassment still engage in active coping responses -e.g. distancing themselves from the event and reframing it as non serious (Machackova, Cerna, Sevcikova, Dedkova, & Daneback, 2013). So despite victims of cyberbullying tend to adopt different strategies, the study suggests that online harassment can also have harmful consequences that children try to cope with.…”

Whom to Trust: The Role of Mediation and Perceived Harm in Support Seeking by Cyberbullying Victims

“…Telling anyone about being cybervictimised is seen as a desirable way of coping with cyberbullying because it supposedly helps the victim both emotionally and to solve the problematic situation, and recent research confirms this (Machackova and others, ). The practical help mainly involves adults (such as parents and teachers), as they should possess the means to change or help in the situation.…”

“…The harm cyberbullying might cause can be buffered by using appropriate coping strategies (Machmutow and others, ). A very frequently recommended strategy with regard to reducing such negative impact is seeking social support through talking about the experience (Machackova and others, ; Riebel, Jaeger & Fischer, 2009). But not all victims talk about their negative experiences.…”

“…Therefore, research focuses on reasons why young people choose not to talk to parents about the experience. The feeling of being substantially harmed could be one of the key factors in the decision for telling someone, as perceived harm influences coping with cyberbullying in general (Machackova and others, ). The intensity of harm caused by cyberbullying can vary depending on several factors, i.e.…”

Cyber-Bullying Factors and Psychological Measures of Prevention

“…RECOMMENDATIONS TO SCHOOLS -PARTICIPANTS OF THE STUDY Parents, teachers, and other professionals who work with children need to be equipped with knowledge about children's reactions and coping strategies to be applied in order to deal with this phenomenon [14]. The coping strategies mechanisms arise as an individual's response to problems resulting in depression as their consequence.…”