RELATIONSHIPS OF CYBERBULLYING WITH DEPRESSION AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A PROVINCE OF CENTRAL REGION

Abstract

               Objective: The descriptive correlational research aimed at studying relationships of cyberbullying with depression and aggressive behaviors among adolescents in a province of central region.

               Methods: The sample group consisted of 258 high school students in the academic year 2018. Data were collected by questionnaires comprising of: 1) general data and internet using behavior questionnaire; 2) cyberbullying behavior assessment tool; 3) depression assessment tool; and 4) aggressive behavior assessment tool. Data therefore were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank-order correlation.

               Results: The study results revealed that being cyberbullied was positively related to depression (r = .298, p < .001) and aggressive behaviors (r = .326, p < .001). Moreover, cyberbullying behavior was also positively related to depression (r = .174, p < .01) and aggressive behaviors (r = .352, p < .001).

               Conclusion: The results of this study could be applied to develop interventions to prevent and reduce depression and aggressive behaviors of adolescents who experienced cyberbullying from the perspectives of victims of cyberbullying and the cyberbullies.