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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Differential neural responses to body image-related cyberbullying in adolescent females
NeuroImage, Vol.314, pp.1-11
2025
PMID: 40354845
Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection
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UniSC NewsAbstract
Body image-related cyberbullying (BRC), which targets an individual’s body shape, weight, and/or size, is associated with body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviours among adolescent females. However, its neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined neural responses to BRC stimuli in 26 females (14–18 years; Mage = 15.54) from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study. BRC stimuli elicited greater BOLD responses in regions implicated in emotional regulation (insula, anterior cingulate cortex), visual processing (lateral occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus), and social cognition (temporal pole, angular gyrus). Adolescents with recent cyberbullying experiences exhibited greater BOLD responses in the parahippocampal gyrus and lateral occipital cortex, whereas those without body dissatisfaction showed greater responses in the caudate and amygdala. Longitudinally, increased cyberbullying perpetration was associated with greater BOLD responses in the angular and middle temporal gyri. These findings provide insights into neurobiological pathways through which BRC may influence adolescent brain function and mental health.
Details
- Title
- Differential neural responses to body image-related cyberbullying in adolescent females
- Authors
- Taliah Prince (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteJacob M Levenstein - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteChristina Driver - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteKate Mulgrew - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Cancer Research ClusterLia Mills - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceAmanda Boyes - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteZack Shan - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteLarisa McLoughlin - University of South AustraliaDaniel Hermens - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
- Publication details
- NeuroImage, Vol.314, pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121266
- ISSN
- 1095-9572; 1053-8119
- PMID
- 40354845
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- Data will be made available on request.
- Grant note
- The first author was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; Graduate Research School; Thompson Institute; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991128905602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Neuroimaging
- Neurosciences
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
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