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Examination of the Relationship between Cyberbullying and Cyber Victimization

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Abstract

Behaviors which are conducted via information technologies, which are irritating, and which cause psychological strain for the individuals are categorized as cyberbullying (CB). Cyber victimization (CV), on the other hand, expresses exposure to CB behaviors. In this study, we utilize General Strain Theory (GST) as the theoretical basis to examine the relationship between CB and exposure to CV among university students. GST explains that individuals may display aberrant behaviors in order to alleviate psychological strains and the negative emotions they experience. Accordingly, individuals who experienced CV may display CB when the conditions are suitable. With that in mind, we examined the relationship between CB and CV using a relational screening model with participation of 3302 university students. We found, consistent with the literature, a direct relationship between CB and CV in all models. However, it was determined that their mediating effects are not meaningful when the variables of metacognitive and digital data security awareness (DDSA) are added to the model separately. When these two variables are added to the model together as the mediator at the same time, DDSA negatively mediates the relation between CB and CV. Including various activities aiming to develop DDSA within intervention programs for CB and CV, may improve positive outcomes for participants.

Highlights

  • There is a significant relationship between CB and CV.

  • The borders between CB and CV are unclear and have a transitive structure.

  • Metacognitive awareness and DDSA are together effective as the mediator variable on CB and CV.

  • In this study, developing two new dimensions (metacognitive awareness and DDSA) will have significant contributions for the intervention programs on CB and CV.

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Correspondence to Hatice Yildiz Durak.

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In this study, it has been complied with ethical principles. Ethics committee approval was obtained for the study. Bartın University ethical committee approval information (committee name = Bartın Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Etik Kurulu (Bartın University Social and Humanities Ethics Committee), number = 2020-SBB-0112).

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Yildiz Durak, H., Saritepeci, M. Examination of the Relationship between Cyberbullying and Cyber Victimization. J Child Fam Stud 29, 2905–2915 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01768-4

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