The longitudinal associations of cyberbullying and cybervictimization: Preliminary findings from a two-wave study

Abstract

Cyberbullying is a new form of bullying. Cyberbullying research began in the early 2000s; however, most of the research was cross-sectional, making it difficult to evaluate the risks and protective factors associated with cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. This short-term longitudinal study had two main aims: (1) to examine the stability of face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying perpetration and victimization and (2) to investigate the individual-level risk and protective factors associated with cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization. Participants were 268 adolescents (143 females, 124 males, 1 missing; mean age=14.7, SD=0.52), who were recruited from public schools in two districts of Northern Cyprus (i.e., Nicosia and Famagusta). The overall findings showed that there was stability in face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying perpetration and victimization 1 year later. Cyberbullying perpetration at Time 2 was negatively related to cyber-prosocial behaviors, unpopularity, and social status insecurity at Time 1. Narcissism and receiving prosocial behaviors were positively related to cyberbullying perpetration. On the other hand, cybervictimization at Time 2 was negatively related to receiving cyber-prosocial behaviors, cyber-prosocial behaviors, callousness, and blog use, while it was positively associated with unpopularity. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.