Integrating Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying: Challenges of Definition and Measurement in Adolescents – a Review

Abstract

The need for an integrated approach to studying bullying behaviors, both traditional and cyber, in adolescents is increasingly evident. The definitional criteria of bullying are well established in the traditional bullying literature and include (i) intention, (ii) repetition, and (iii) power imbalance. There is emerging evidence that these same criteria can be broadly applied to cyberbullying behaviors; however, important additional elements may include anonymity and publicity in a cyber-act. Fundamental to integrating traditional and cyberbullying are the measurement tools used to capture the extent and range of bullying behaviors. Self-report surveys are widely adopted as a method for measuring the prevalence of bullying victimization and perpetration. The current paper reviews the definitional and measurement issues relating to traditional and cyberbullying among school-aged youth. We conclude that both traditional and cyberbullying behaviors should be measured simultaneously. Operationalizing components of the definitional criteria in self-report surveys will result in more consistent and reliable measurement across all bullying behaviors.

Do Cyber Victimization and Traditional Victimization Form Separate Factors? Evidence from a Preliminary Study

“…Relational victimization is more strongly related to emotional distress than is physical victimization [2] and has been found to be uniquely predictive of social and psychological maladjustment as well as depression in adulthood [7], [8]. Victims of bullying have indicated that social exclusion was the worst form of bullying [2]; however, teachers tend to treat relational bullying as the least serious form [2], [3].…”

“…Finally, the recent explosion in the availability of electronic communication technologies has provided students with a new medium to bully [2], [9]. This form of bullying, known in the research as cyber bullying, includes bullying through e-mail, instant messaging, in a chat room, on a website, or through digital messages or images sent to one's phone [2], [10], [11].…”

“…This form of bullying, known in the research as cyber bullying, includes bullying through e-mail, instant messaging, in a chat room, on a website, or through digital messages or images sent to one's phone [2], [10], [11]. As more and more youth utilize the Internet, concern about the consequences of Internet harassment for students is growing.…”

“…Recent studies, find that around 25.9% of students experience traditional bullying and 15% of students experience cyber-bullying, but the vast majority of students do not experience either form of victimization [2], [4]. In terms of gender differences, a review by Thomas et al [2] found that most studies show that boys are significantly more likely to engage in and be victims of physical bullying.…”

“…Whereas, bullying refers to the overall phenomenon containing both a "bully" and "victim", this paper refers to the act of being bullied as victimization. Both terms are often used interchangeably in the research [2].…”