Antecedents and outcomes of cyberbullying among Chinese university students: verification of a behavioral pathway model.

Introduction: Cyberbullying is a commonly-seen and hotly-debated social topic around the globe. This negative behavior is the source of many disastrous events, and so leading government bodies, organizations, schools and social communities attach great importance to addressing this topic. However, there is still much work to do in order to be clear about the causes of cyberbullying. Methods: The previous research cases were mostly viewed from the victims' perspectives; however, there is no comprehensive understanding of the perpetrators' viewpoints. Therefore, based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and analysis of discussion in the literature, the following six variables were chosen as the focus of this study: overconfidence, excessive moral sense, cyberbullying, perceived value, happiness, and continued cyberbullying intention. This study established a research model of continued cyberbullying intention, which was verified by Structural Equation Modeling. In order to achieve the aims of the study, Chinese university students with an average age of 20.29 (SD = 1.43) were recruited as participants, from whom 1,048 valid questionnaires were collected. Results: The research results are as follows: 1. Overconfidence and excessive moral sense positively predicted cyberbullying behaviors; 2. Overconfidence positively predicted excessive moral sense; 3. Cyberbullying positively predicted perceived value and sense of happiness; and 4. Perceived value and sense of happiness positively predicted continued cyberbullying intentions. Conclusion: Students' biased self-perception significantly predicts their cyberbullying behaviors and continued cyberbullying intention. What is more, it is interesting to learn that perpetrators will continue to exhibit cyberbullying behaviors when they believe that what they do (cyberbullying) is valuable or allows them to experience positive feelings; this requires our attention.

Belonging matters: The impact of social identification with classmates, friends, and family on interpersonal distance and bullying/cyberbullying in adolescence.

In adolescence individuals enlarge their social relationships and peer groups acquire a strong importance for their identity. Moreover, adolescents can experiment negative relationships with peers, i.e., bullying/cyberbullying. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the feeling of belonging to a specific group, social identification, the distance that adolescents maintain interacting with others, interpersonal distance, and bullying/cyberbullying behaviors. Adolescents (age range 10-15 years) completed online measures of group identification (social identification with classmates, friends and family), interpersonal distance, and bullying and cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization). Results showed that adolescents with low social identification with classmates and friends chose larger interpersonal distance. Additionally, low scores in social identification with classmates were associated with higher victimization in cyberbullying. In contrast, adolescents with low scores in social identification with family were more involved as bullies in bullying and as victims in cyberbullying. Male adolescents were more likely to be victimized in bullying than females. This study underlines how social identification with peers and family works as a buffer in interfacing strangers, adjusting the distance maintained with them, and as a protective factor against aggressive relationships in adolescence. This study provides new opportunities for psychologists in understanding the psychological dynamics that shape social interactions among adolescents.

Toxic sensation seeking? Psychological distress, cyberbullying, and the moderating effect of online disinhibition among adults.

Cyberbullying among adults is barely studied, though its consequences may be as severe as in children and adolescents. The present study investigated the links between psychological distress, cyber-perpetration, and passive cyber-bystander behavior. We also explored the moderating role of toxic disinhibition in this regard. Our sample comprised 385 adults aged 19-66 (M = 28.35, SD = 11.22, 76.62% females). The results suggested that psychological distress was significantly associated with cyberbullying perpetration and passive bystander behavior. Also, higher psychological distress significantly predicted toxic disinhibition. Further moderation analyses suggested that at high and medium levels of toxic disinhibition, psychological distress significantly predicted cyberbullying perpetration but not passive cyber-bystander behavior. Finally, we discuss our results regarding their theoretical and practical implication for cyberbullying prevention among adults.

Understanding general and specific associations between cyberbullying and psychopathological symptoms in adolescents: a latent dimensional approach.

Cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) is a prevalent public health problem associated with a wide variety of psychopathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, delinquent behaviors, and substance use). However, the generality and specificity of relations between cyberbullying involvement and psychopathological symptoms have not been investigated. Thus, the current study used a latent dimensional approach to examine how cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) is associated with underlying dimensions of psychopathology as well as with specific symptoms. General and specific associations were estimated by a series of structural equation models with data from 654 Chinese adolescents (52.4% girls, Mage = 12.96 years, SD = 0.67) in a three-wave study. Results indicated that cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) was significantly and positively associated with latent internalizing and externalizing dimensions. Cyberbullying involvement was non-significantly associated with most specific symptom domains after accounting for the impact of the latent internalizing and externalizing factors. In a few cases, cyberbullying involvement was directly and uniquely associated with specific symptoms. Findings of significant general and symptom-specific associations have important implications for efforts to develop more efficient and targeted strategies for preventing and treating mental health problems associated with cyberbullying.

School bullying in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bullying is a common form of violence among children and adolescents. Young people with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions might have an increased risk of bullying victimisation and perpetration. We aimed to assess the odds of bullying involvement and its association with mental health measures in these populations. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, ERIC, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycArticles, and PsycInfo databases from inception up to Aug 8, 2023, and included articles reporting data on bullying outcomes of current bullying (within the past year) among children and adolescents (aged 4-17 years) with a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental or psychiatric condtion provided by a health professional. Bullying type was classified as traditional (physical, verbal, or relational) or as cyberbullying (intentional and repeated harm inflicted through electronic devices and social media), and bullying involvement was classified as victimisation, perpetration, and perpetration-victimisation. Mental health measures were collected and the associations with bullying involvement assessed. We used random-effects meta-analyses to estimate prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) for bullying involvement. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and publication bias was tested with Egger's regression. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021235043. FINDINGS: We included 212 studies in the meta-analysis. The total sample comprised 126 717 cases (mean age 12·34 years [SD 1·82], 37·6% girls) and 504 806 controls (12·5 years [SD 1·86], 47·6% girls). For traditional bullying, the pooled prevalence was 42·2% (95% CI 39·6-44·9) for victimisation, 24·4% (22·6-26·3) for perpetration, and 14·0% (11·4-17·1) for perpetration-victimisation. For cyberbullying, the prevalence was 21·8% (16·0-28·9) for victimisation, 19·6% (13·4-27·7) for perpetration, and 20·7% (8·4-42·6) for perpetration-victimisation. Compared with controls, young people with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions were more likely to be involved in traditional and cyberbullying as a victim (OR 2·85 [95% CI 2·62-3·09] and 2·07 [1·63-2·61]), perpetrator (2·42 [2·20-2·66] and 1·91 [1·60-2·28]), and perpetrator-victim (3·66 [2·83-4·74] and 1·85 [1·05-3·28]). Bullying involvement was associated with higher scores in mental health measures in young people with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions, particularly internalising symptoms and externalising symptoms. INTERPRETATION: Our study underscores bullying involvement as a prevalent risk factor in young people with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions that might add to their disease burden through its negative effects on mental health. Interventions targeting these vulnerable populations are warranted to improve their mental health and their future social integration. FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red.

Bullying and cyberbullying, what do they have in common and what not? A latent class analysis / Acoso y ciberacoso, ¿qué es igual y qué es distinto? Un análisis de clases latentes

El acoso escolar y el ciberacoso se presentan como comporta-mientos de riesgo durante la adolescencia. Aunque se ha reconocido una importante relación entre ambos fenómenos, aspectos referidos a su preva-lencia, la semejanza y diferencia entre uno y otro, la transferencia de roles, así como los aspectos emocionales, sociales y morales asociados aún están sin resolver. El objetivo fue explorar los perfiles de implicación en acoso y ciberacoso a través de un análisis de clases latentes y examinar su asocia-ción con desconexión moral, ajuste social y normativo y rumiación de la ira. Se presenta un estudio longitudinal en dos tiempos con 3,006 escolares de secundaria (Medad= 13.53; 51.9% chicas). Se utilizaron autoinformes ampliamente validados en la población de referencia. Los resultados mos-traron cuatro clases latentes: no implicados, víctimas-cibervíctimas, agreso-res victimizados y totalmente implicados. Análisis de regresión logística identificaron un bajo ajuste social en los totalmente implicados, bajo ajuste normativo y alta desconexión moral en perfiles mixtos, y alta rumiación de la ira en todos los perfiles de implicación, principalmente en agresores vic-timizados. Se discuten estos resultados en términos de su valor para com-prender los matices que distinguen el acoso y ciberacoso, de la existencia de roles puros y mixtos y de las variables emocionales, sociales y morales asociadas.(AU)

Bullying and cyberbullying are risky behaviours which normally occur during adolescence. Although an important relationship has been recognized between the two phenomena, issues related to their prevalence, the similarity and difference between them, the transfer of roles, as well as the emotional, social, and moral aspects associated with them, remain un-resolved. The aim of this study was to explore the roles ofinvolvement in bullying and cyberbullying through an analysis of latent classes, and exam-ine their association with moral disengagement, social and normative ad-justment, and anger rumination. The study had a two-stage longitudinal de-sign, with 3,006 secondary school students (Mage= 13.53; 51.9% girls), us-ing extensively validated self-reports in the reference population. The re-sults showed four latent classes: uninvolved, victim-cybervictim, bully-victim and wholly involved. Logistic regression analyses identified a low social adjustment in those wholly involved, low normative adjustment and high moral disengagement in mixed profiles, and high anger rumination in all involvement profiles, mainly in bully-victim. These results are discussed in terms of their value in understanding the distinctions between bullying and cyberbullying, the existence of pure and mixed roles, and the associat-ed emotional, social, and moral variables.(AU)

Prevalence of cyberbullying victimisation and its association with family dysfunction, health behaviour and psychological distress among young adults in urban Selangor, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cyberbullying is a growing public health concern with clear, negative impacts on the mental, physical and social health of targeted victims. Previous research on cyberbullying has largely focused on examining its occurrence among children and adolescents. The present study aims to examine the prevalence of cyberbullying victimisation and its association with family dysfunction, health behaviour and psychological distress among young adults in Selangor, Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a locality within Selangor, sampling a total of 1449 young adults. The Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey was used to measure cyberbullying victimisation. The Family APGAR scale, General Health Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and single-item measures were used to assess family dysfunction, psychological distress and health behaviour, respectively. RESULTS: The 1-month prevalence of cyberbullying victimisation among young adults was 2.4%. The most common cyberbullying act experienced was mean or hurtful comments about participants online (51.7%), whereas the most common online environment for cyberbullying to occur was social media (45.8%). Male participants (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.60, 95% CI=1.58 to 8.23) had at least three times the odds of being cyberbullied compared with female participants. Meanwhile, participants with higher levels of psychological distress had increased probability of being cyberbullied compared with their peers (AOR=1.13, 95% CI=1.05 to 1.21). CONCLUSIONS: As evident from this study, cyberbullying victimisation prevails among young adults and is significantly related to gender and psychological distress. Given its devastating effects on targeted victims, a multipronged and collaborative approach is warranted to reduce incidences of cyberbullying and safeguard the health and well-being of young adults.

Influence of cyber-victimization and other factors on depression and anxiety among university students in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cyber-victimization is closely linked with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, etc., and has become a growing concern among university students in Bangladesh. In the era of globalization, smart gadgets, the internet, and other online resources are readily available, and these tools and devices have now become the primary method for cyberbullying. The authors aim to explore the impacts of cyber-victimization and other factors on anxiety and depression among university students in Bangladesh. METHODS: The primary data for this cross-sectional study were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. This study employs three widely used scales such as cyberbullying inventory, general anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses are carried out to identify the factors associated with depression and anxiety among university students in Bangladesh. RESULTS: Findings depict that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among university students was 52.5% and 44.0%, respectively. Depressed respondents were considerably more likely to have difficulty sleeping (p < 0.001), spend more time on social media (p = 0.002), have suicidal thoughts (p < 0.001), and have a high cyber-victimization score (p < 0.001) compared to non-depressed respondents. In comparison with non-anxious respondents, anxious respondents were significantly more likely to: have sleeping difficulties (p < 0.001); spend more time on social media (p = 0.031); have suicidal thinking (p < 0.001); and have a comparatively high cyber-victimization score (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that a one-unit increase in the cyber-victimization score results in a 1.24 times higher chance of experiencing depression (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.17-1.31, p < 0.001), and a one-unit increase in the cyber-victimization score results in a 1.23 times higher chance of experiencing anxiety (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.17-1.30, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: University students are struggling with cyberbullying, which can lead to depression and anxiety levels. Promoting more cyberbullying awareness is necessary since failing to do so could result in a sustained or increased prevalence of anxiety and depression levels among students, which could have disastrous repercussions.

Adolescents' Cyber-Defending for Cyberbullying: A Socio-Emotional, Beliefs, and Past Experience Model.

Adolescents experiencing cyberbullying attacks (i.e., cyber-victims) can suffer severe psychological harm (e.g., suicide). To combat cyberbullying, people can defend the cyber-victims (cyber-defending). Unlike past studies, we proposed a comprehensive theoretical model of cyber-defending that includes socio-emotional aspects, beliefs, and past bullying experiences (as a bully, victim, and/or witness; face-to-face vs. online). We then empirically tested it among 817 students across seven secondary schools using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results revealed that participants with higher social competence, depression, affective empathy, or stronger pro-victim beliefs reported more cyber-defending. Furthermore, beliefs and past experiences mediated the relationships between socio-emotional factors and cyber-defending. These findings help build a theory of cyber-defending, provide practical implications, and offer future directions for promoting cyber-defending, which will ultimately reduce cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in US early adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the association between cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in a national sample of 10-14-year-old early adolescents. METHOD: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2, 2018-2020, N = 10,258/11,875, 49% female, 46% non-White). Data were collected using multi-stage probability sampling. Modified Poisson regression analyses examined the association between cyberbullying and self-reported eating disorder symptoms based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5). RESULTS: Cyberbullying victimization was associated with worry about weight gain (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-3.91), self-worth tied to weight (PR 2.08, 95% CI 1.33-3.26), inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.57-2.42), binge eating (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.59-2.39), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.64, 95% CI 1.94-3.59), in models adjusting for potential confounders. Cyberbullying perpetration was associated with worry about weight gain (PR 3.52, 95% CI 1.19-10.37), self-worth tied to weight (PR 5.59, 95% CI 2.56-12.20), binge eating (PR 2.36, 95% CI 1.44-3.87), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.84, 95% CI 1.47-5.49). DISCUSSION: Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration in early adolescence are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Clinicians may consider assessing for cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescence and provide anticipatory guidance. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Eating disorders often onset in adolescence and have among the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder. In addition, cyberbullying has increased in prevalence among adolescents and significantly impacts mental health. In a national study of early adolescents, we found that cyberbullying victimization and perpetration are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Screening for and providing anticipatory guidance on cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescents may be warranted.

How social media usage affects psychological and subjective well-being: testing a moderated mediation model.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature demonstrates that social media usage has witnessed a rapid increase in higher education and is almost ubiquitous among young people. The underlying mechanisms as to how social media usage by university students affects their well-being are unclear. Moreover, current research has produced conflicting evidence concerning the potential effects of social media on individuals' overall well-being with some reporting negative outcomes while others revealing beneficial results. METHODS: To address the research gap, the present research made an attempt to investigate the crucial role of social media in affecting students' psychological (PWB) and subjective well-being (SWB) by testing the mediating role of self-esteem and online social support and the moderation effect of cyberbullying. The data in the study were obtained from a sample of 1,004 college students (483 females and 521 males, Mage = 23.78, SD = 4.06) enrolled at 135 Chinese universities. AMOS 26.0 and SPSS 26.0 as well as the Process macro were utilized for analyzing data and testing the moderated mediation model. RESULTS: Findings revealed that social media usage by university students was positively associated with their PWB and SWB through self-esteem and online social support, and cyberbullying played a moderating role in the first phase of the mediation process such that the indirect associations were weak with cyberbullying reaching high levels. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of discerning the mechanisms moderating the mediated paths linking social media usage by young adults to their PWB and SWB. The results also underline the importance of implementing measures and interventions to alleviate the detrimental impacts of cyberbullying on young adults' PWB and SWB.

Cyberbullying among children and youth in Türkiye: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PROBLEM: It has been reported in various studies that identifying risk and protective factors and outcomes of cyberbullying perpetration (CP) and cyberbullying victimization (CV) is crucial for educational strategies to fight against cyberbullying. The main purpose of the present study is to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review to identify which risk and protective factors are more strongly associated with CP/CV and possible consequences of CP/CV among children and youth in Türkiye. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), ProQuest, ERIC, SCOPUS, Turkish Psychiatry Index, DergiPark, and National Dissertation/Thesis Center of Türkiye were searched to identify relevant studies. SAMPLE: Fifty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria included in the present study. RESULTS: Results revealed that the strongest risk factor was traditional bullying for CP (r = 0.47, p < .001) and traditional victimization for CV (r = 0.43, p < .001). The strongest protective factor was social skill for CP (r = -0.45, p < .001) and empathy for CV (r = -0.25, p < .001). In addition, involvement in CP behaviors had the strongest effect on negative self-concept (r = 0.28, p < .001), while exposure to CV on anxiety (r = 0.35, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although this study has some limitations, the study's findings are important source of information for many professionals, such as pediatric nurses, school psychological counselors, psychologists, and policymakers to further educational strategies for children and young people in Türkiye. IMPLICATIONS: The study findings would be useful for developing educational programs to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors to prevent cyberbullying perpetration behaviors.

Association of cyberbullying victimization and substance initiation: The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that cyberbullying is an important risk factor for various adverse mental health outcomes, such as substance use. However, there is limited evidence from longitudinal studies that assessed whether cyberbullying victimization is associated with substance use initiation, especially among adolescent population. METHODS: Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, we assessed the association between cyberbullying victimization and substance use initiation among adolescents. In the cross-sectional analysis at year 2, multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the association between cyberbullying victimization history and substance use initiation. Additionally, the association between year 2 cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months/lifetime and year 3 substance use initiation was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and the presence of depression/anxiety symptoms, lifetime history of cyberbullying victimization was significantly associated with substance use initiation (OR= 2.17, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.81). Recent cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months was associated with two-times higher odds of initiating substances (OR= 2.31, 95% CI: 1.71, 3.12). In addition, both lifetime history of cyberbullying victimization and recent cyberbullying victimization at year 2 were associated with two times increased risk in substance use initiation at year 3 (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.93; OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.68, 3.26). CONCLUSION: There is a significant relationship between cyberbullying victimization and substance use initiation among adolescents. Cyberbullying victims are at an increased risk of initiating substance use later in life.

Autistic Traits and Cyberbullying Involvement Mediated by Psychopathologies and School Functions in a Nationally Representative Child Sample.

Cyberbullying has become an international concern among youth with autistic traits in the digital age. It draws the attention of professionals in mental health and education due to its potentially severe psychosocial and academic impacts. However, there is limited knowledge about the mediators for these associations. This study investigated whether school dysfunction and comorbid psychopathologies mediated the link between autistic traits and cyberbullying. We used a nationally representative sample of 9,483 students (9-14 years of age). The instruments included the Social Responsiveness Scale for autistic traits; the Cyberbullying Experiences Questionnaire for cyberbullying victimization and perpetration; the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, version IV for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional behaviors; the Child Behavior Checklist for anxiety/depression; and the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents for impaired school functions. Multiple mediation models were used for statistical analyses. The results showed that the 1-year prevalence rates of pure victims, pure perpetrators, and bully-victims of cyberbullying were 7.9 percent, 2.4 percent, and 5.7 percent, respectively. Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration were positively associated with autistic traits, school dysfunction, and comorbid psychopathologies. The associations between autistic traits and cyberbullying victims and bully-victims were significantly mediated by school dysfunction and hyperactivity/impulsivity (only for bully-victims), independent of sex and age. Our results suggest that early identification and intervention of these difficulties may mitigate the risks of cyberbullying. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02707848.

Workplace Harassment, Cyber Incivility, and Climate in Academic Medicine.

Importance: The culture of academic medicine may foster mistreatment that disproportionately affects individuals who have been marginalized within a given society (minoritized groups) and compromises workforce vitality. Existing research has been limited by a lack of comprehensive, validated measures, low response rates, and narrow samples as well as comparisons limited to the binary gender categories of male or female assigned at birth (cisgender). Objective: To evaluate academic medical culture, faculty mental health, and their relationship. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 830 faculty members in the US received National Institutes of Health career development awards from 2006-2009, remained in academia, and responded to a 2021 survey that had a response rate of 64%. Experiences were compared by gender, race and ethnicity (using the categories of Asian, underrepresented in medicine [defined as race and ethnicity other than Asian or non-Hispanic White], and White), and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) status. Multivariable models were used to explore associations between experiences of culture (climate, sexual harassment, and cyber incivility) with mental health. Exposures: Minoritized identity based on gender, race and ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ status. Main Outcomes and Measures: Three aspects of culture were measured as the primary outcomes: organizational climate, sexual harassment, and cyber incivility using previously developed instruments. The 5-item Mental Health Inventory (scored from 0 to 100 points with higher values indicating better mental health) was used to evaluate the secondary outcome of mental health. Results: Of the 830 faculty members, there were 422 men, 385 women, 2 in nonbinary gender category, and 21 who did not identify gender; there were 169 Asian respondents, 66 respondents underrepresented in medicine, 572 White respondents, and 23 respondents who did not report their race and ethnicity; and there were 774 respondents who identified as cisgender and heterosexual, 31 as having LGBTQ+ status, and 25 who did not identify status. Women rated general climate (5-point scale) more negatively than men (mean, 3.68 [95% CI, 3.59-3.77] vs 3.96 [95% CI, 3.88-4.04], respectively, P < .001). Diversity climate ratings differed significantly by gender (mean, 3.72 [95% CI, 3.64-3.80] for women vs 4.16 [95% CI, 4.09-4.23] for men, P < .001) and by race and ethnicity (mean, 4.0 [95% CI, 3.88-4.12] for Asian respondents, 3.71 [95% CI, 3.50-3.92] for respondents underrepresented in medicine, and 3.96 [95% CI, 3.90-4.02] for White respondents, P = .04). Women were more likely than men to report experiencing gender harassment (sexist remarks and crude behaviors) (71.9% [95% CI, 67.1%-76.4%] vs 44.9% [95% CI, 40.1%-49.8%], respectively, P < .001). Respondents with LGBTQ+ status were more likely to report experiencing sexual harassment than cisgender and heterosexual respondents when using social media professionally (13.3% [95% CI, 1.7%-40.5%] vs 2.5% [95% CI, 1.2%-4.6%], respectively, P = .01). Each of the 3 aspects of culture and gender were significantly associated with the secondary outcome of mental health in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: High rates of sexual harassment, cyber incivility, and negative organizational climate exist in academic medicine, disproportionately affecting minoritized groups and affecting mental health. Ongoing efforts to transform culture are necessary.

Life Stress and Cyberbullying: Examining the Mediating Roles of Expressive Suppression and Online Disinhibition.

Life stress is a significant predictor of cyberbullying. However, previous studies have not investigated the roles of emotional and cognitive characteristics, such as expressive suppression and online disinhibition, in explaining the associations between life stress and cyberbullying perpetration/victimization. To fill this gap, a two-wave longitudinal design was used to investigate these two mediating variables as the underlying mechanisms among adolescents after controlling for possible covariates. A total of 724 Chinese adolescents (female: 41.2%) aged 12 to 16 years old (M = 13.36, SD = 0.77) participated in this survey. They completed self-report questionnaires on life stress, expressive suppression, online disinhibition (including benign and toxic disinhibition), cyberbullying perpetration, and cyberbullying victimization. The survey was conducted in two waves, six months apart. The correlational analyses showed that life stress was positively associated with cyberbullying perpetration/victimization cross-sectionally and longitudinally. After controlling other variables, life stress did not predict cyberbullying perpetration cross-sectionally or longitudinally, but cross-sectionally predicted cyberbullying victimization. The results only revealed the significant mediation effects of expressive suppression and online disinhibition at the first time point. Specifically, toxic disinhibition mediated the relationship between life stress and cyberbullying perpetration/victimization, and benign disinhibition mediated the relationship between life stress and cyberbullying victimization. In addition, life stress cross-sectionally and positively predicted cyberbullying victimization through the serial mediating roles of expressive suppression and benign disinhibition. The results of the multi-group analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the hypothesized model for the male and female groups. This study reveals how life stress is related to cyberbullying perpetration/victimization. Reducing expressive suppression and online disinhibition may be effective in preventing cyberbullying among adolescents.

Violent Video Game Exposure and Cyberbullying in Early Adolescents: A Latent Moderated Mediation Model.

Violent video game exposure (VVGE) is a significant predictor of adolescent cyberbullying perpetration. However, little is known about the mediating and moderated mechanisms between them. This study examined the mediating role of moral disengagement between VVGE and cyberbullying perpetration as well as the moderating role of callous-unemotional (CU) traits on those associations. A total of 2,523 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 13.22, SD = 1.60, 48.4 percent girls) participated this study. Structural equation modeling showed that VVGE was significantly related to cyberbullying perpetration and moral disengagement play a mediating role between them. Latent moderated structural equation modeling showed that CU traits strengthened the effect of VVGE on moral disengagement and of VVGE on cyberbullying perpetration. Results further showed that the mediating effect of moral disengagement was more prominent for youths who have higher levels of CU traits. Interventions to reduce moral disengagement and CU traits among adolescents may interrupt the effect of VVGE to cyberbullying perpetration.

Effects of school sandplay group therapy on children victims of cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying among children is increasing every year, leading to serious public health problems. Victims suffer serious aftereffects such as depression and suicidal ideation; therefore, early and appropriate psychological intervention and the role of schools are emphasized. This study investigated the effects of school sandplay group therapy (SSGT) on children affected by cyberbullying. This study was designed as a parallel-group non-randomized controlled trial. The study subjects were 139 elementary school students (mean age 11.35 years; standard deviation, 0.479; age range 12-13 years) residing in Cheonan City, Korea, who were assigned to the intervention and comparison groups. The intervention group received 10 sessions of therapy on a weekly basis, for 40 minutes per session. No therapy was administered in the control group. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using the Children Depression Inventory, Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The assessment for the comparison group was performed concurrently with that of the intervention group. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. In this study, the SSGT group showed a significant decrease in depression and suicidal ideation compared to the control group after sandplay group therapy (SGT), and a significant increase in self-esteem. It was confirmed that SSGT can mitigate the negative consequences of cyberbullying and strengthen protective factors. This suggests that the SSGT can be successfully used for crisis counseling.

The Long-Term Efficacy and Sustainability of the Tabby Improved Prevention and Intervention Program in Reducing Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization.

Although cyberbullying and cybervictimization prevention programs have proved effective in the short term, their effectiveness remains unclear in the long run. Thus, the present study evaluated the long-term effects of the Tabby Improved Prevention and Intervention Program (TIPIP). Participants were 475 middle and high school students (Mage = 12.38; SD = 1.45; F = 241, 51%), of whom, 167 were in the Experimental Group (EG; Mage = 13.15; SD = 1.52; M = 51.5%), and 308 were in the Control Group (CG; Mage = 13.47; SD = 1.35; M = 47.7%). Students completed measures assessing cyberbullying and cybervictimization at three time points: baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (6 months, T2), and at 1 year (T3). The results showed no significant effects of the TIPIP in reducing both cyberbullying and cybervictimization over time. Overall, our results confirm the lack of effectiveness of long-term preventive programs and emphasize that different curricula should be implemented in future programs to prevent and manage cyberbullying and cybervictimization, also taking into account psychological mechanisms and processes involved in such behaviors.

Psycho-Social Correlates of Cyberbullying among Polish Adolescents.

Cyberbullying has recently attracted attention due to its increasing prevalence and serious consequences for both victims and perpetrators. The objective of this population-based study was to examine the determinants of a person becoming a perpetrator of cyberbullying, including personal resources (emotional self-regulation, self-esteem, internal locus of control, optimism), social skills (prosocial behavior, assertiveness, cognitive empathy, cooperation), peer relationships (peer support, threats from peers, peer rejection, dislike of peers), and problematic Internet use (excessive Internet use, impulsive reactions to Internet deprivation). Participants (N = 541) were students at elementary schools (age 14-15) in Ostroleka, a city in central-eastern Poland. Two-part regression was used to explore protective/risk factors of the likelihood of an individual using cyberviolence (dichotomous part: involvement in violence) and how often it is used (continuous part: frequency of cyberbullying). The results showed that the emotional component is crucial to cyberbullying, as indicated by the importance of emotional self-control, which reduces the frequency of cyberbullying. Other important factors are assertiveness, impulsive response to limited Internet access (which increases the likelihood of engaging in cyberbullying) and fear of peers (which reduces its frequency). In turn, the importance of pro-sociality (which inhibits engagement) and peer support (which promotes engagement) points to the second important component of cyberbullying-that is, group mechanisms. At the same time, the results indicate that while the importance of Internet addiction as a risk factor for cyberbullying should not be underestimated, the amount of time spent online cannot be seen as the source of the problem. The study leads to the conclusion that effective interventions targeting cyberbullying should focus on the development of more adaptive styles of coping with emotions.