NCJ Number
220571
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: 2007 Pages: 89-112
Date Published
2007
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Using data collected online from a sample of adolescent Internet users, this study referred to the principles of general strain theory in identifying the emotional and behavioral effects of being bullied by persons sending intimidating and negative messages and images over the Internet ("cyberbullying").
Abstract
The findings suggest that victims of "cyberbullying" may be at risk for adverse developmental and behavioral consequences, including violence at school and delinquent behavior. Informed by general strain theory, study findings identify the emotional and psychological costs of being victimized by cyberbullying. Robert Agnew (1985) first argued that strain could result from experiencing adverse treatment by others. In 1992, however, he elaborated on his strain theory to include three types of strain. They are the actual or anticipated failure to achieve positively valued goals, the removal of stimuli with positive values, and the experiencing of negative stimuli. Three practical strategies are proposed for resolving strain experienced by cyberbullying victims: the provision of education, counseling, and prosocial outlets. Prevention efforts might involve school-based education that exposes the nature and harmful consequences of cyberbullying. An online survey was used to collect data from 1,388 Internet-using adolescents (under age 18) between December 22, 2004, and January 22, 2005. Participants (equal number of boys and girls) were questioned about their experiences with eight types of online bullying. They included being ignored by others, disrespected, being called names, rumors spread by others over the Internet, being threatened, being demeaned for the entertainment of others, and being picked on by others. Participants' self-reported offline emotional status and problem behaviors were measured with an 11-item index of behaviors engaged in during the previous 6 months. 7 tables, 58 references, and appended descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations