Risks and Protective Factors in LGBTIQ+ Cybervictimization

Abstract

Past research has indicated that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) community is more at risk for all types of bullying victimization (i.e., face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying) compared to their heterosexual counterparts (Ballard, & Welch, 2017; Kahle, 2017). Despite this, research on experiences of bullying in LGBTIQ+ youth has been limited to traditional face-to-face bullying, leading to a void in empirical evidence pertaining to cybervictimization (Abreu, & Kenny, 2018). A recent systematic review has shown that LGBTIQ+ adolescents and young adults have higher suicidal ideation and attempts, higher depression levels, lower self-esteem and lower GPAs (Abreu, & Kenny, 2018). It is also documented that these negative effects can be long lasting (Earnshaw et al., 2016). Additionally, with the introduction of the Metaverse, a new virtual world, synthesizing this knowledge will be imperative as it has the potential for increased risks for LGBTIQ+ (Hinduja, 2022). Past research which has focused mainly on multiplayer online games, gives some hints as to what risks may occur in the Metaverse, such as females and LGBTIQ+ participants experiencing more sexually related cybervictimization (Ballard & Welsh, 2017). Although some interventions including person-, school- and family-based programs have been implemented to decrease the cyberbullying perpetration towards LGBTIQ+, the success rate is relatively low because individual and contextual risks and protective factors are not clearly reported. Therefore, the main aim of this chapter will be to review the extant literature and report these risks and protective factors to support future prevention and intervention programs. © 2024 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.