Psychological Characteristics Associated With Cyberbullying:Focusing on the Victim-Perpetrators and Gender Differences
- Author:
Geon-Taek BAE
1
;
Sang-Ick LEE
;
Chul-Jin SHIN
;
Jung-Woo SON
;
Siekyeong KIM
;
Gawon JU
;
Jeonghwan LEE
;
Joon Hyung JUNG
;
Seungwon CHUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2026;37(2):95-104
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:Cyberbullying is a modern form of violence involving intentional harassment through electronic devices. We aimed to investigate how psychological characteristics differ based on cyberbullying involvement, identify the psychological factors associated with cyberbullying, and examine whether these factors vary by gender.
Methods:A survey was conducted with 449 middle school students in Cheongju, Korea. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their involvement: Neither (N), Victim (V), Perpetrator (P), and Victim-Perpetrator (VP). Psychological characteristics were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Self-Esteem Scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We compared these characteristics across the four groups and examined their influence on cyberbullying involvement by gender.
Results:Overall, 31.8% of participants were involved in cyberbullying, with the VP group being the largest (17.1%) among them. The VP group exhibited more severe psychopathology than the N group across most internalizing and externalizing problems. SDQ-Conduct Problems subscale scores were significantly associated with victimization and perpetration. For female participants, high SDQEmotional Symptoms subscale scores were associated with greater victimization, and high BDI scores increased the risk of belonging to the VP group. No variables significantly increased the risk of belonging to the VP group among male participants.
Conclusion:Adolescents who are both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying face the most significant psychological difficulties.Factors associated with cyberbullying involvement vary by gender, highlighting the need for tailored gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies.
