Risk factors and consequences of cyberbullying in teenagers: Association with bullying

Abstract

Background. Cyberbullying uses electronic tools to intimidate. We undertook this study to determine the prevalence of cyberbullying and to identify its characteristics. We explored the association with bullying and analyzed consequences and risk factors. Methods. Junior-high-school students were included. Cyberbullying was used as exposure and outcome variable. Nonparametric statistic and logistic regression were applied. Results. Six hundred three students with a mean age of 13.4 years (SD 0.98 years) were included. Cybervictims were more prevalent. The cell phone was the most common tool used to intimidate. The most important risk factor for cybervictims was "feeling unsafe at school" (c² = 6.485 p = 0.011 OR = 4.1 95% CI 1.30-11.2); for cyberaggressors it was "to use the computer hidden from parents and late at night" (c² = 14.584 p <0.05 OR = 4.2 95% CI 2.10-16.30); for cybervictims-cyberaggressors it was "to be female" (c² = 2.891 p >0.05 OR = 3.50 95% CI 1.70-16.80). The strongest association with bullying was shown for males and between traditional victim- aggressor and cyberaggressor roles (c² = 28.821 p <0.05 OR = 7.37 95% CI 3.78-14.3). When cyberbullying was considered as the exposure variable, the most relevant outcome measure was "to have headaches" for cyberaggressors (c2 = 15.125 p <0.05 OR=7.91 95% CI 2.28-29.6). Conclusions. The prevalence of cyberbullying was less than demonstrated in other studies, but the risk factors and consequences are relevant.