Risk Factors and Correlates of School Bullying and Cyberbullying among Turkish Adolescents: Evidence from a School-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Traditional school bullying and cyberbullying are common experiences that adversely affect the present and future mental health of adolescents. Cyberbullying has also increased during the last decade due to the growing use of the internet, mobile technological tools, and social network systems. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of traditional school bullying and cyberbullying.

Methods: The sample comprised 5491 adolescents (53.7% male and 46.3% female) from Grades 7 to 12 in 15 public schools. Participants were administered a self-report survey, including sociodemographics, school bullying, cyberbullying, and related variables. A logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors related to school bullying and cyberbullying involvement.

Results: Boys were more prone to be perpetrators or victim-perpetrators of both school and cyberbullying. The results revealed that carrying a cutting tool, short sleep duration, using the computer and mobile phone longer, and poor academic performance were risk factors for being a perpetrator (p < 0.05). In addition, school bullying involvement was related to thin or overweight body perception (p < 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that being a victim or perpetrator of school bullying showed more significant risks for being a victim or perpetrator of cyberbullying (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: We found common risk factors for both types of bullying and an overlap between school bullying and cyberbullying. These findings should be considered for developing new intervention programs and policies for preventing bullying in Turkey.