The effects of empathy and circadian preference on cyberbullying of adolescents in Turkey

ABSTRACT

In this study, the relationships among empathic tendency and circadian preference on cyberbullying and cybervictimization of adolescents in Turkey were examined. The study group included 1540 adolescents (861 female, 679 male), and anonymous and voluntary participation was sought in forming the study group. Data were collected from each participant by assessing a demographic questionnaire, the Composite Scale of Morningness for circadian preference, Empathy, Cyberbully and Victim Scales. The most important result was that gender, empathy, and Composite Scale of Morningness scores were the predictors for cyberbullying and cybervictimization, and as a consequence, male and evening-oriented adolescents scored higher on cyberbullying and cybervictimization. Additionally, it was observed that cyberbullying and empathy were inversely correlated in adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Cyberbullying
• cybervictimization
• circadian preference
• empathy
• adolescence

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the students who responded to the questionnaires.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.