The Predictors and Consequences of Cyberbullying Perpetration and Cyber-Victimization: The Development of a New Cyberbullying Theory.

Abstract

Introduction: Extensive research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of both cyberbullying perpetration and cyberbullying victimization on youth and adults alike. Most research, to date, is segmented into focusing on the predictors of cyberbullying perpetration or the outcomes of being cyber-victimized, which presents an incomplete theoretical understanding of cyberbullying. Therefore, the current research tests a novel theory that combines both literatures and operationalizes cyberbullying perpetration and cyber-victimization as mediators: the Integrative Cyberbullying Theory (ICBT). The ICBT posits the mediating influence of both cyberbullying perpetration and victimization on the relationship between predictors (e.g., traditional perpetration, traditional victimization, risky online behavior) and later psychological outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness) in a single comprehensive model, which addresses key gaps in the theoretical understanding of cyberbullying predictors and outcomes.

Methods: Study 1 sampled 369 US adolescents using a cross-sectional design, and Study 2 sampled 1137 Singaporean adolescents using a four-wave longitudinal design, with a time lag separated by 1 year. Participants in both studies completed validated measures of traditional bullying, traditional victimization, cyberbullying, cyber-victimization, depression, risky online behavior, anxiety, and loneliness.

Results and conclusion: Path modeling procedures showed support for the ICBT in both studies. Indeed, our ICBT models fit the data well and showed several significant direct relationships. Moreover, cyberbullying perpetration and victimization mediated the relationships between several predictors and outcomes. Overall, our path modeling findings suggest that cyberbullying perpetration and victimization can be theoretical mediators that link various predicts and consequences-a novel idea that has practical implications in addition to theoretical gains.