The consequences of cyberbullying and traditional bullying victimization among adolescents: Gender differences in psychological symptoms, self-harm and suicidality

Bin Yang; Bo Wang; Nan Sun; Fei Xu; Lianke Wang; Jiajun Chen; Shiwei Yu; Yiming Zhang; Yurui Zhu; Ting Dai; Qiang Zhang; Changqing Sun

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114219

The consequences of cyberbullying and traditional bullying victimization among adolescents: Gender differences in psychological symptoms, self-harm and suicidality

Psychiatry Res. 2021 Dec:306:114219. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114219. Epub 2021 Sep 21.

Authors

Bin Yang¹, Bo Wang², Nan Sun³, Fei Xu¹, Lianke Wang¹, Jiajun Chen¹, Shiwei Yu¹, Yiming Zhang¹, Yurui Zhu¹, Ting Dai⁴, Qiang Zhang⁵, Changqing Sun⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Avenue, High-Tech Development Zone of States, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
² Science and Education Department, Shenzhen Pingle Orthopaedic Hospital, 6100 Pingshan Avenue, Pingshan District, Shenzhen 440310, Guangdong, China.
³ Department of Management Information Systems, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
⁴ Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, No. 172, Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
⁵ School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 101 Kexue Avenue, High-Tech Development Zone of States, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
⁶ Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 Kexue Avenue, High-Tech Development Zone of States, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China; School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 101 Kexue Avenue, High-Tech Development Zone of States, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China. Electronic address: zzugwsy@163.com.

PMID: 34614443
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114219

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of different types of bullying victimization (direct, relational, and cyber) on psychological symptoms, self-harm, and suicidality (including suicidal ideation and attempts) among adolescents, and to explore whether these effects may vary by gender. The data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of adolescents (n = 11,248, 46.7% females) with a mean age of 13.83 years from grade 5 to 12 in Henan, China. A series of binary logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the associations between different types of bullying victimization and psychological symptoms, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts, after adjusting for demographic covariates. All three types of bullying victimization were significantly associated with psychological symptoms, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts. Adolescents who suffered from cyberbullying victimization were more likely to commit self-harm and suicidal attempts as compared to direct and relational victimization. Female adolescents who suffered from relational bullying tend to have a higher risk of suicidal attempts than male adolescents. The current study demonstrated the negative effect of bullying victimization on adolescents' adverse psychological outcomes and gender difference need to be taken into account in developing targeted intervention strategies to address bullying victimization.

Keywords: Adolescents; Cyberbullying; Direct bullying; Psychological symptoms; Relational bullying; Self-harm, Suicidality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Bullying* / psychology
Crime Victims* / psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cyberbullying* / psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Self-Injurious Behavior* / epidemiology
Sex Factors
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide*