J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2015 May;54(2):245-251. 10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.2.245.

Psychopathology Associated with Cyberbullying among Middle School Students

• Jo MJ
• Lee JW
• Sung M
• Song SH
• Lee YM
• Lee JJ
• Cho SM
• Park MK
• Shin YM

• KMID: 2343905
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.2.245

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Cyberbullying has recently become a major concern in Korea and especially poses a serious threat to adolescents. The object of this study is to examine the psychopathology of perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying.
METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 490 middle school students completed questionnaires on bullying and victimization experiences in cyberspace. Korean-Youth Self Report (K-YSR) was included to evaluate the psychopathology of the students.
RESULTS
The prevalence rates of victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying were 6.92% and 3.33%, respectively. Among 9 sub-scales of K-YSR, the scores of depressed/anxious (p=0.049), thought problems (p=0.002), and attention problems (p=0.039) were significantly different between victim, perpetrator, victim/perpetrator, and control group. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that the victim group was associated with depressed/anxious [odds ratio (OR)=1.10], social immaturity (OR=1.24), thought problems (OR=1.32), and self-destructive identity problems (OR=1.16). The perpetrator group was associated with thought problems (OR=1.37) and attention problems (OR=1.21). The victim/perpetrator group was associated with delinquent behavior (OR=2.04).
CONCLUSION
Middle school students involved in cyberbullying were associated with psychopathologies including depression, anxiety, thought problems, attention problems, and delinquent behaviors. The risk of cyberbullying is escalating with the rapid advancement in technology. Therefore, a comprehensive approach should be employed for prediction and prevention of cyberbullying in adolescents.

Keyword

Cyberbullying; Adolescent; Psychopathology

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Anxiety
Bullying*
Crime Victims
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Humans
Korea
Logistic Models
Prevalence
Psychopathology*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Self Report

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