Differential Associations Among Cyberbullying Victimization, Parental Monitoring, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Male and Female College Students

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the role of parental monitoring and help seeking in the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in male and female college students.

Method

Data were collected for 336 college students (71.72% female and 28.28% male) aged 18 to 24 or older years from two universities in the Midwest and the South Central regions.

Results

Logistic regression indicated the interaction term of cyberbullying victimization and parental monitoring was negatively related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in a male group (B = −.155, p < .05, Exp(B) = .86).

Discussion

Male students whose parents monitored about being safe on the computer had dramatically fewer suicidal thoughts/behaviors. In both male and female groups, seeking professional help was not a significant moderator that weakened the relationship.

Conclusion

There is a need for additional research on the importance of prevention and intervention efforts to foster open dialogue between students and their parents.

KEYWORDS:

• cyberbullying victimization
• suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• parental monitoring
• help seeking
• gender
• college students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Wichita State University [#U15187].