The Impact of Cyberbullying on Substance Use and Mental Health in a Multiethnic Sample

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health problems among a multiethnic sample of high school students in Hawai'i. A University-Community partnership was established to direct the research. Using a mixed-methods approach, we explored violence among Asian and Pacific Islander youth. In the first phase, focus groups were conducted to identify areas of youth concern and develop survey questions. Responses from 677 high school students on interpersonal youth violence and risk and protective factors were utilized in this study. More than 1 in 2 youth (56.1%) had been victims of cyberbullying in the last year. Filipino and Samoan youth were more likely to report feeling badly about themselves as a result of cyberbullying. While cyberbullying and mental health problems varied by sex and ethnicity, we found that cyberbullying is widespread with serious potential consequences among Asian and Pacific Islander youth. A multifaceted approach is needed to reduce and prevent cyberbullying. School, family and community programs that strengthen positive relationships and promote safe use of technology provide promise for reducing cyberbullying.

Self-Harm, Suicidal Behaviours, and Cyberbullying in Children and Young People: Systematic Review (Preprint)

“…Cybervictimisation was analysed in 25 included articles [14,15,[26][27][28][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], five examined both cybervictimisation and cyberbullying perpetration [11,30,31,40,53], and one investigated cyberbullying perpetration, but also included those who were both victims and perpetrators [29]. Inclusion in one of these groups was most commonly assessed by a participant's yes or no response to a single question.…”

“…Only two studies [11,45] reported the medium through which cyberbullying (victimisation and perpetration) occurred. The three most commonly experienced forms of victimisation reported by Hinduja and Patchin [11] were: "e-mail" (18·3%); "instant message" (16·0%); and "MySpace" (14·2%) , while the most common forms of perpetration were: "posted something online about another person to make others laugh" (23·1%); "sent someone a computer text message to make them angry or to make fun of them" (13·7%); and "took a picture of someone and posted it online without their permission" (12·1%).…”

“…The three most commonly experienced forms of victimisation reported by Hinduja and Patchin [11] were: "e-mail" (18·3%); "instant message" (16·0%); and "MySpace" (14·2%) , while the most common forms of perpetration were: "posted something online about another person to make others laugh" (23·1%); "sent someone a computer text message to make them angry or to make fun of them" (13·7%); and "took a picture of someone and posted it online without their permission" (12·1%). Goebert et al [45] reported wide ranges of the medium of cybervictimisation used across different Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups, e.g. "text" (18·5% -27·8%).…”

Correlates of bullying in Quebec high school students: The vulnerability of sexual-minority youth

“…Victims of cyberbullying are likely to experience negative consequences such as high psychological distress, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideations and suicide attempts (Bauman et al, 2013;Goebert et al, 2011;Hinduja and Patchin, 2010;Trickett, 2009). In addition, victims are vulnerable to social isolation and may engage in risky behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse (Schneider et al, 2012;Williams et al, 2005).…”

Influence of Social Networking on Malaysian Female Secondary Students: A Qualitative Study Across Three Schools

“…Researchers have pointed out that approximately 50 % of students admitted being bullied and worse, these students were unaware of Internet safety (Kite, Gable & Filippelli 2013;Goebert et al 2011). It is the most common online risk for all teens and can lead to profound emotional distress and psychosocial outcomes such as depression, anxiety, severe isolation, and, tragically, even suicide just days after reading hurtful comments (Kowalski 2010;Patchin & Hinduja 2010;Cappadocia, Craig & Pepler 2013).…”