A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Psychosocial Difficulties and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Singapore Adolescents Involved in Cyberbullying




AuthorsOng Say How, Tan Yi Ren, Khong Jerrine Z.N., Elliott John M., Sourander Andre, Fung Daniel S.S.

PublisherMARY ANN LIEBERT, INC

Publication year2021

JournalCyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

Journal acronymCYBERPSYCH BEH SOC N

Volume24

Issue11

First page 737

Last page744

Number of pages8

ISSN2152-2715

eISSN2152-2723

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2020.0630(external)


Abstract

Bullying through online medium has afflicted many adolescents to cause severe mental health concerns, including self-harm and suicide. The aims of this study are to examine the prevalence of cyberbullying in Singapore adolescents, its associations with psychosocial difficulties, and how do the adolescents seek help after being cybervictimized. A representative sample of 3,319 school students aged between 12 and 17 years responded to a survey with scales measuring cyberbullying, psychosocial difficulties, and help-seeking behaviors. In the present study, 7.3 percent of adolescents reported being cybervictims only, 1.8 percent were cyberbullies only, and 4.8 percent were cyberbully-victims. Compared with the non-involved group, both cybervictim and cyberbully-victim groups were associated with more internalizing problems, but all the three cyberbullying-involved groups were associated with higher externalizing problems. Approximately half of the cybervictimized participants reported that they have sought help, with most of them (81.7 percent) choosing to tell their friends. Our findings are consistent with previous overseas studies showing increased associations of psychosocial difficulties among adolescents who are involved in cyberbullying. Public awareness of the consequences of unhealthy cyber-usage could be raised to aid in the early detection of cyberbullying among school children and adolescents. Moreover, cyberwellness programs should be considered as a component of larger anti-bullying programs in schools and in the community.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 20:30