Bidirectional Associations Between Cyberbullying Victimization, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the reciprocal longitudinal relationships between cyberbullying victimization, depressive symptoms, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) during adolescence-a developmental period marked by notable increases in both depressive symptoms and NSSI behaviors. Additionally, gender differences in these associations were explored.

Methods: A total of 909 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 14.64, SD = 1.62; 51.8% boys, 48.2% girls) completed measures of NSSI, cyberbullying victimization, and depressive symptoms across three waves at 3-month intervals, beginning in Autumn 2021.

Results: A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) provided mixed evidence for the hypothesized reciprocal associations. Within-person increases in cyberbullying victimization predicted subsequent increases in depressive symptoms. In turn, elevations in depressive symptoms predicted increases in both NSSI and cyberbullying victimization. However, within-person increases in NSSI did not predict subsequent changes in the other variables. At the between-person level, NSSI and depressive symptoms were strongly associated, particularly among girls. Additionally, the pathway from depressive symptoms to cyberbullying victimization was stronger in boys than in girls.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the complex interplay between cyberbullying victimization, depression, and NSSI during adolescence. While cyberbullying victimization and depressive symptoms showed reciprocal associations, NSSI did not predict future changes in depression or victimization. Results also suggest that depressive symptoms may contribute to increased cybervictimization, particularly among adolescent boys.