Assessing Predictors of Cyberbullying Perpetration Among Adolescents: the Influence of Individual Factors, Attachments, and Prior Victimization

Paez, G. R.

doi:10.1007/s42380-019-00025-7

Original Article
Published: 08 June 2019

Assessing Predictors of Cyberbullying Perpetration Among Adolescents: the Influence of Individual Factors, Attachments, and Prior Victimization

G. R. Paez¹

International Journal of Bullying Prevention volume 2, pages 149–159 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Cyberbullying continues to be prevalent among adolescents, and advancing technology provides more ways for this harmful behavior to persist. Using data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey administered by the World Health Organization, this study examines the influence of individual, attachment, and victimization characteristics of 12,642 adolescents on the likelihood to cyberbully. Results from multivariate logistic regression models show that physical aggression, associations with peers who smoke cigarettes or carry weapons, prior cyberbullying victimization, and involvement in traditional bullying are associated with cyberbullying perpetration. Results underscore the need to ensure positive and strong attachments to parents, teachers, or peers to enhance cyberbullying prevention efforts. Implications for future research and practices are also discussed.

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Notes

The HBSC study was established in 1982, and its associated survey instrument is administered every 4 years.
The USA did not participate in the most recent wave (2013/2014) of the HBSC survey.
The National Crime Victimization Survey School Crime Supplement (SCS) and the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

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Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33606-1490, USA
G. R. Paez

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Paez, G.R. Assessing Predictors of Cyberbullying Perpetration Among Adolescents: the Influence of Individual Factors, Attachments, and Prior Victimization. Int Journal of Bullying Prevention 2, 149–159 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00025-7

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Published: 08 June 2019
Issue Date: June 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00025-7

Keywords

Cyberbullying
Attachments
Multivariate logistic regression