Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2023.369

CYBERBULLYING AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND ONLINE INFORMATION SEEKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Tatjana Gazibara ; Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Milica Cakić ; Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jelena Cakić ; Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Anita Grgurević ; Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tatjana Pekmezović ; Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Background: Cyberbullying is a serious problem among adolescents and has an impact on mental health. The purpose of this
study was to: 1) translate and validate the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey in the Serbian language; 2) explore factors
associated with more intense cyber victimization and cyber offending and 3) examine whether more intense cyber victimization and
cyber offending are associated with a higher likelihood of online search for topics on mental health in a sample of high school students.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 702 students from 4 public high schools participated in this cross-sectional study. Data
were collected using a general questionnaire and the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey. Internal consistency of the questionnaire
was examined and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess construct validity. The multiple linear regression
model examined factors associated with higher levels of cyber offending and cyber victimization. The multiple logistic regression
models examined whether cyber offending and cyber victimizations were associated with searching for mental health topics on the
Internet.
Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale was 0.813 and for the Cyberbullying Offending Scale was
0.789. Both scales had a one-factorial structure and parameters on the confirmatory factor analysis were appropriate. More than
one-half of students (56.2%) reported ever being cyber victimized and 39.9% of students reported ever being cyber offenders. Having
lower grades, being younger at first Internet use and more frequent use of the internet were associated with both higher Cyberbullying
Victimization and Offending scores. Having higher scores on both Cyberbullying Victimization and Offending scales was associated
with higher odds of searching for mental health topics online.
Conclusion: It is necessary to address cyberbullying in schools to help recognize and modify the behavior of cyber offenders and
provide means of support and empowerment to cyber victims.

Keywords

cyber; victims; offenders; adolescents; high school; mental health

Hrčak ID:

310665

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/310665

Publication date:

25.10.2023.

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