Dissertation
An Investigation into the Relationships between Cyberbullying, Coping and Help Seeking in Young Adolescents
Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Australia
2017
Abstract
Cyberbullying has received considerable attention in both the media and in academia. Whilst there continues to be debate surrounding the definition of cyberbullying, there is broad agreement that it is the use of technology to bully an individual or group with the intent to hurt or harm them. Researchers have established that cyberbullying is a key area of concern, with serious mental health implications for young people in both Australia and abroad (Campbell, Spears, Slee, Butler, & Kift, 2012; Fahy et al, 2016; Kim, Georgiades, Comeau, Vitoroulis, & Boyle, 2016; Le et al., 2016; Spears, Taddeo, Daly, Stretton, & Karklins, 2015a; van Geel, Vedder, & Tanilon, 2014). Young people, however, are unlikely to seek help for cyberbullying (Marées & Petermann, 2012; Smith et al., 2008), with some research suggesting that if involved in cyberbullying, they may be more likely to cope through emotion-focused strategies (e.g. giving up, or self-blame), (Jacobs, Dehue, Völlink, & Lechner, 2014; Jacobs, Völlink, Dehue, & Lechner, 2015). Little is known about why, and how, these emotion-focused coping strategies might influence their help seeking attitudes and practices and subsequent mental health outcomes. Researchers further have suggested that engaging in ineffective coping styles, such as emotion-focused coping can prolong the cyberbullying (Craig, Pepler, & Blais, 2007; Kristensen & Smith, 2003; Mahady Wilton, Craig, & Pepler, 2000), and may exacerbate the negative mental health effects of cyberbullying, such as depression, anxiety and stress (Mahmoud, 2011).
Details
- Title
- An Investigation into the Relationships between Cyberbullying, Coping and Help Seeking in Young Adolescents
- Authors
- Larisa McLoughlin (Author) - University of South Australia
- Awarding institution
- University of South Australia
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 Larisa McLoughlin.
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450868902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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