Bulllying in School and Cyberspace: Associations with Depressive Symptons in Swiss and Australian Adolescents

Perren et al. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health 2010, 4:28 http://www.capmh.com/content/4/1/28

RESEARCH

Open Access

Bullying in school and cyberspace: Associations with depressive symptoms in Swiss and Australian adolescents

Sonja Perren1*, Julian Dooley2, Thérèse Shaw2, Donna Cross2

Abstract

Background: Cyber-bullying (i.e., bullying via electronic means) has emerged as a new form of bullying that presents unique challenges to those victimised. Recent studies have demonstrated that there is a significant conceptual and practical overlap between both types of bullying such that most young people who are cyberbullied also tend to be bullied by more traditional methods. Despite the overlap between traditional and cyber forms of bullying, it remains unclear if being a victim of cyber-bullying has the same negative consequences as being a victim of traditional bullying. Method: The current study investigated associations between cyber versus traditional bullying and depressive symptoms in 374 and 1320 students from Switzerland and Australia respectively (52% female; Age: M = 13.8, SD = 1.0). All participants completed a bullying questionnaire (assessing perpetration and victimisation of traditional and cyber forms of bullying behaviour) in addition to scales on depressive symptoms. Results: Across both samples, traditional victims and bully-victims reported more depressive symptoms than bullies and non-involved children. Importantly, victims of cyber-bullying reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, even when controlling for the involvement in traditional bullying/victimisation. Conclusions: Overall, cyber-victimisation emerged as an additional risk factor for depressive symptoms in adolescents involved in bullying.

Background It is well established that students who are bullied by their peers are at higher risk for internalizing problems. Recently, a new form of bullying behaviour has come to the attention of school...