RESEARCH PAPER
Cyberbullying and its protective and risk factors among Polish adolescents
| 1 | Institute of Pedagogy, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland |
| 2 | Institute of Pedagogy, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland |
Submission date: 2021-06-15
Final revision date: 2021-10-18
Acceptance date: 2021-10-25
Online publication date: 2022-01-24
Publication date: 2022-09-30
Current Issues in Personality Psychology 2022;10(3):190–204
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
the role of personality in interpersonal relations and social behaviorsindividual differencesquality of life and well being
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cyberbullying has recently attracted attention because of its increasing occurrence and serious consequences for victims. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence rates of cyberbullying and the association between cyberbullying and protective/risk factors (cognitive empathy, assertiveness, cooperation, pro-social behaviour, and social support) among Polish adolescents.
Participants and procedure:
Participants (822 students, 448 girls and 374 boys, M = 12.97, SD = 1.02) completed a computer-based online ques-tionnaire.
Results:
The majority of respondents did not experience cyberbullying in the last six months, while a significant group still experienced cyberbullying regularly (28.1%). Engaging in cyberbullying appeared to be even less common: it was reported by 12.3% of respondents. Family and peer social support appeared to be the strongest protective factor against experiencing cyberbullying while assertiveness was a characteristic that makes a person more likely to en-gage in cyberbullying.
Conclusions:
The results of our study can serve as guidance for preventive interventions against cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying has recently attracted attention because of its increasing occurrence and serious consequences for victims. The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence rates of cyberbullying and the association between cyberbullying and protective/risk factors (cognitive empathy, assertiveness, cooperation, pro-social behaviour, and social support) among Polish adolescents.
Participants and procedure:
Participants (822 students, 448 girls and 374 boys, M = 12.97, SD = 1.02) completed a computer-based online ques-tionnaire.
Results:
The majority of respondents did not experience cyberbullying in the last six months, while a significant group still experienced cyberbullying regularly (28.1%). Engaging in cyberbullying appeared to be even less common: it was reported by 12.3% of respondents. Family and peer social support appeared to be the strongest protective factor against experiencing cyberbullying while assertiveness was a characteristic that makes a person more likely to en-gage in cyberbullying.
Conclusions:
The results of our study can serve as guidance for preventive interventions against cyberbullying.
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