1072
Paper presentation
An Investigation of Cyberbullying and Positive Mental Health and Well-Being Outcomes: Can
Victimization Lead to More Positive Future Expectations?
Sara Pabian & Heidi Vandebosch
There is convincing evidence that being a victim of cyberbullying can have a significant negative
impact on one’s mental health and well-being (e.g., Kowalski et al., 2014). Although research on
traditional bullying suggests that successful coping can also generate positive long-term outcomes
(such as achieving academic success and feeling more resilient (Plaskon, 2011), this has not yet been
investigated for cyberbullying. The present paper is part of a research project that focuses on
examining the possible positive impacts of online victimization on mental health and well-being. The
aim of the present paper is to investigate the association between cyberbullying victimization and
future expectations with regard to work and education.
Data were collected in spring 2016 as part of a longitudinal study (fifth wave) among [NATIONALITY]
adolescents. Previous data collections took place in fall 2011, spring 2012, fall 2012 and spring 2013.
The preliminary results that are presented here are based on the (cross-sectional) data of the fifth
wave, as the matching process of the five different datasets is not completed yet. In total, 658
adolescents (43.5% girls) aged 15 to 19 (M=17.70, SD=.67) completed the paper-and-pencil survey.
About one out of ten students indicated that they were a victim of cyberbullying at least once during
the two previous school years (8.7%) and 15.0% reported to be a victim of traditional bullying during
that period. Fewer students reported to be a victim of bullying in the past six months (cyberbullying:
3.5%; traditional bullying: 7.4%).
To test the associations between cyberbullying victimization, future expectations and current
academic self-concept, Structural Equation Modeling was applied. The analysis revealed that past
cyberbullying victimization is a significant positive predictor of future expectations (β=0.09, p<0.05),
while controlling for recent cyber and traditional bullying victimization, past traditional bullying
victimization and current academic self-concept.
To conclude, these results provide first evidence that victims of bullying might draw strength from
their experience and have positive expectations about their future. It is important to point out that
no causal conclusions can be made at this point. The full results (including data from all the waves)
and a discussion on the implications will be available at the conference. The project’s results can
provide important inputs for prevention programs that aim to buffer negative mental health and
well-being outcomes. For instance, the positive outcomes of cyberbullying that are indicated in the
present study can be highlighted in supporting messages directed to victims.