Doumas Diana M, Midgett Aida
Institute for the Study of Behavioral Health and Addiction, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
Department of Counselor Education, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2020 Oct 4;10(4):957-966. doi: 10.3390/ejihpe10040068.
Cyberbullying is a significant problem among school-aged youth. Cyberbullying peaks in middle school with 33% of middle school students reporting cyberbullying victimization and more than 50% reporting witnessing cyberbullying as bystanders. Although the association between cyberbullying victimization and internalizing symptoms is well documented, there is limited research examining the impact of witnessing cyberbullying on bystanders. To assess differences in internalizing symptoms between cyberbullying bystanders and non-bystanders, a school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among middle school students (6th-8th grade) in the United States ( = 130; 57.4% female; 42.6% male). Questionnaire data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of co-variance (MANCOVA) with three outcome variables (depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) and the between-subject factor bystander status (bystander, non-bystander). We controlled for witnessing school bullying to examine the unique effect of witnessing cyberbullying on internalizing symptoms. Results of the MANCOVA indicated a significant effect for cyberbullying bystander status ( < 0.04). Post hoc analyses demonstrated that bystanders reported significantly higher levels of depression ( < 0.05), anxiety ( < 0.02), and somatic symptoms ( < 0.01) than non-bystanders. Findings suggest that programs to support students who witness cyberbullying are needed to reduce the mental health risks associated with being a cyberbullying bystander.
网络欺凌是学龄青少年中的一个重大问题。网络欺凌在中学阶段达到高峰，33%的中学生报告曾遭受网络欺凌，超过50%的中学生报告曾作为旁观者目睹过网络欺凌。尽管网络欺凌受害与内化症状之间的关联已有充分记录，但关于目睹网络欺凌对旁观者影响的研究却很有限。为了评估网络欺凌旁观者与非旁观者在内化症状方面的差异，在美国对中学生（6至8年级）开展了一项基于学校的横断面研究（=130；57.4%为女性；42.6%为男性）。问卷数据采用多变量协方差分析（MANCOVA）进行分析，有三个结果变量（抑郁、焦虑、躯体症状）以及主体间因素旁观者身份（旁观者、非旁观者）。我们控制了目睹校园欺凌这一因素，以检验目睹网络欺凌对内化症状的独特影响。MANCOVA的结果表明网络欺凌旁观者身份有显著影响（<0.04）。事后分析表明，旁观者报告的抑郁水平（<0.05）、焦虑水平（<0.02）和躯体症状水平（<0.01）均显著高于非旁观者。研究结果表明，需要开展相关项目来支持目睹网络欺凌的学生，以降低作为网络欺凌旁观者所带来的心理健康风险。
