Psychopathology Associated with Cyberbullying among Middle School Students.
10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.2.245
- Author:
Myung Jin JO
1
;
Jee Won LEE
;
Minje SUNG
;
Sook Hyung SONG
;
Young Moon LEE
;
Je Jung LEE
;
Sun Mi CHO
;
Mi Kyoung PARK
;
Yun Mi SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. ymshin@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cyberbullying;
Adolescent;
Psychopathology
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Anxiety;
Bullying*;
Crime Victims;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Depression;
Humans;
Korea;
Logistic Models;
Prevalence;
Psychopathology*;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Self Report
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2015;54(2):245-251
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
