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. 2015 Sep;57(3):305-12.
doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 Jun 23.

Longitudinal Associations Between Cybervictimization and Mental Health Among U.S. Adolescents

Chad A Rose  1 , Brendesha M Tynes  2
Affiliations

Longitudinal Associations Between Cybervictimization and Mental Health Among U.S. Adolescents

Chad A Rose et al. J Adolesc Health. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: An emerging body of literature suggests that victims of bullying report detrimental mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between cybervictimization, depression, and anxiety among school-aged youth over a 3-year time frame.

Methods: Students in Grades 6 through 12 at the initial wave of the study responded to survey items designed to assess their online experiences, including cybervictimization and self-reported depression and anxiety at three separate time points, over a 3-year period. In total, 559 school-aged youth participated in the study.

Results: Results suggest a reciprocal relationship between cybervictimization and depression and cybervictimization and anxiety. More specifically, depression at Time 1 predicted cybervictimization at Time 2, depression at Time 2 predicted cybervictimization at Time 3, and cybervictimization at Time 1 predicted depression at Time 3. Additionally, cybervictimization at Time 1 predicted anxiety at Time 2, cybervictimization at Time 2 predicted anxiety at Time 3, and anxiety at Time 1 predicted cybervictimization at Time 2.

Conclusions: Based on the findings from this study, cybervictimization, depression, and anxiety seem to have a reciprocal relationship. Therefore, educational and mental health professionals should consider interventions that address adolescents' online experiences, while supporting mental health and social and emotional learning.

Keywords: Anxiety; Bullying; Cyberbullying; Depression; Harassment; Internet; Longitudinal; Victimization.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Total sampling distribution over three time points.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Structural models for Cybervictimization and Depression (top) and Cybervictimization and Anxiety (bottom).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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