Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: Why social connectedness is important for mental health

Larisa McLoughlin; Barbara A Spears; Carmel M Taddeo; Daniel F Hermens

doi:10.1002/pits.22232

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Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: Why social connectedness is important for mental health

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: Why social connectedness is important for mental health

Larisa McLoughlin, Barbara A Spears, Carmel M Taddeo and Daniel F Hermens

Psychology in the Schools, Vol.56(6), pp.945-958

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22232

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

adolescence

cyberbullying

mental health

social connectedness

youth

Youth mental health

Thompson Institute Special Collection

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

It is well documented that cyberbullying can lead to adverse mental health outcomes. Separate research shows that higher levels of social connectedness may result in more positive mental health outcomes, however, the relationship between social connectedness and mental health in the face of cyberbullying is not yet fully understood. An online survey of 229 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) was conducted, and we examined experiences of cyberbullying, levels of social connectedness, depression, anxiety, and stress. Structural equation modeling suggested that social connectedness may act as a protective buffer against the negative mental health outcomes associated with cybervictimization. This paper highlights the fact that social connectedness plays an important role for young people, the more frequently they are victimized. The implications of these findings are far reaching and suggest that understanding the role of social connectedness may be crucial to interventions that seek to mitigate the effects of cyberbullying.

Details

Title: Remaining connected in the face of cyberbullying: Why social connectedness is important for mental health
Authors: Larisa McLoughlin (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Barbara A Spears (Author) - University of South Australia
Carmel M Taddeo (Author) - University of South Australia
Daniel F Hermens (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Psychology in the Schools, Vol.56(6), pp.945-958
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1002/pits.22232
ISSN: 0033-3085
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450443402621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Educational

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