Cyber-Victimization /Bullying Among Turkish Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT

Cyberbullying is a form of deviant behavior, acknowledged as a worldwide mental health issue. Few studies have investigated cyberbullying among youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a population susceptible to bullying, and associated factors. In this study, we aimed to explore frequency and related factors of cybervictimization/bullying among adolescents with ADHD. We included 92 clinically referred adolescents (14.37 ± 1.78 years) with ADHD. Revised Cyberbullying Inventory and a semi-structured diagnostic interview were used to assess cybervictimization/bullying and psychiatric disorders respectively. 38% of participants (n = 35) were defined as cybervictims and 35.9% (n = 33) as cyberbullies. The symptoms of anxiety and problematic internet use were more severe, and social phobia was more frequent among cybervictims than non-cybervictims. Cybervictimization was associated with being overweight, having generalized anxiety disorder and online gaming. Parent-rated inattention, hyperactivity, and defiant behaviors were significantly more severe and internet addiction scores were higher in cyberbullies compared to non-cyberbullies. Cyberbullying was associated with having generalized anxiety disorder, more severe problematic internet use, and downloading programs. Per our study, a major component of clinical assessment must include questions related to social experiences on the internet. This recommendation is especially valid for adolescents with ADHD with anxiety disorders, high body mass index, and online gamers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Burcu Ece Kök Özyürek

Burcu Ece Kök Özyürek graduated from Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty at 2012 and then she had child psychiatry training at Istanbul Medical Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department. She graduated from this program at 2017 and currently working as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Beykoz State Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Alper Alnak

Alper Alnak graduated from Hacettepe Medical Faculty at 2014 and then he had child psychiatry training at Istanbul Medical Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department. He graduated from this program at 2019 and currently working as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Murat Coşkun

Murat Coşkun graduated from Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty at 2003 and then he had child psychiatry training at Istanbul Medical Faculty, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department. He graduated from this program at 2010 and working as a faculty member since 2014 and head of the department since 2018 in child and adolescent psychiatry department at Istanbul Medical Faculty.