Prevalence, Psychological Impact, and Coping of Cyberbully Victims Among College Students

Abstract

With the growth of technology, bullying has expanded into the technological realm. Labeled cyberbullying, individuals are utilizing technology, such as cell phones and the Internet, to bully and harass others with the intention of causing harm. The purpose of this study was to expand prevalence, psychological impact, and coping strategy research with college victims of cyberbullying in the United States. Among 799 college students surveyed via the Internet, 8.6% were victims of cyberbullying. On the Symptom Checklist-90-R, the 69 victims scored higher than 69 matched controls on depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, and paranoia, and were elevated on global severity index and positive symptom distress index scales. Victims had significantly more suicidal ideations, planning, and attempts. Victims generally coped with cyberbullying by telling someone and avoiding friends and peers, with few differences between genders. The results indicated that cyberbullying is occurring in a college sample and having a negative impact upon victims.

Keywords:

• cyberbully victimization
• prevalence
• impact
• coping
• suicide

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the college students who participated and shared their stories of cyberbully victimization. They also thank and acknowledge undergraduate research assistants for their help in scoring some of the measures.