Adolescents’ methods for coping with cyberbullying

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the methods of coping with cyberbullying in adolescents and the factors affecting these methods. In addition, we want to provide a new perspective on the approach strategies to be applied in the clinical approach to the cyberbullying victimization of adolescents. Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty-one high school student adolescents who applied to Pamukkale University, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic for any reason were included in our study. In the Scale on Coping with Cyber Bullying (SCCB), we applied to adolescents; methods for coping with cyberbullying were determined as seeking social support, seeking help, struggling, and online security. The sociodemographic data form and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire were also administered to the participants. Results: It was determined that the most preferred method in coping with cyberbullying is online security. The increase in the hyperactivity/ inattention score was found to increase the scores of seeking social support (b=0.218; p=0.004), seeking help (b=0.216; p=0.004), and online security scores (b=0.227; p=0.004). The increase in the scores in the prosocial scale had an increasing effect on the scores in seeking social support (b=0.284; p=0.0001), seeking help (b=0.293; p=0.0001), struggling (b=0.246; p=0.001), and online security (b=0.198; p=0.009). It was found that being male had a lower effect on seeking social support (b=-0.163; p=0.026) and struggling scores (b=-0.254; p=0.002). Increasing conduct problem scale scores had a lowering effect on online security scores (b=-0.249; p=0.001). Conclusion: We believe that identifying the fields where young people have problems and knowing their effects on coping strategies in case of exposure to cyberbullying will be important in planning clinical approaches to be applied to young people exposed to cyberbullying. Supporting the mechanisms that young people use less often and strengthening the mechanisms they use frequently will prevent the occurrence of possible accompanying psychiatric comorbidities. © 2024, Galenos Publishing House. All rights reserved.