von Humboldt Sofia, Low Gail, Leal Isabel
William James Center for Research, Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida-Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal.
Faculty of Nursing, International Health Research, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 May 2;15(5):619. doi: 10.3390/bs15050619.
Cyberbullying can be prevalent across different life stages, with lasting traces on mental health across the lifespan. This study aims to (a) explore how cyberbullying is emotionally experienced across three distinct age groups and (b) analyze the influence of cyberbullying on mental health across the lifespan. This study included 883 participants divided into three age groups: 18-39, 40-59, and 60+. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather participants' experiences and perspectives. The data were then subjected to content analysis, which revealed a number of themes. The first objective revealed the following themes: For ages 18-39: (a) feeling ashamed or humiliated (92.4%), (b) withdrawing from friends and family, and (c) experiencing harassment as positive and difficulties with rules. For ages 40-59: (a) losing interest in hobbies (89.5%), (b) questioning about things they did or did not do, and (c) experiencing a sense of missing out. For ages 60+: (a) negative thoughts and self-talk (91.3%), (b) feeling judged negatively, and (c) feeling financially vulnerable. The second objective showed: For 18-39: (a) depressive symptoms (79.7%), (b) easy anger, and (c) suicidal behavior. For 40-59: (a) anxiety (93.2%), (b) low self-esteem, and (c) the use of substances. For 60+: (a) frustration (78.1%), (b) isolation, and (c) disturbances in sleep and eating patterns. This study highlights the significant psychological and emotional impact of cyberbullying across age groups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by individuals at different life stages. The findings underscore the importance of developing age-specific strategies to mitigate the effects of cyberbullying and to have perpetrators take responsibility for their reckless disregard for others, and ultimately, themselves.
网络欺凌在不同的生命阶段都可能很普遍,会在人的一生中对心理健康留下持久的痕迹。本研究旨在:(a)探讨在三个不同年龄组中人们对网络欺凌在情感上的体验;(b)分析网络欺凌在人的一生中对心理健康的影响。本研究包括883名参与者,分为三个年龄组:18 - 39岁、40 - 59岁和60岁及以上。通过深入的半结构化访谈来收集参与者的经历和观点。然后对数据进行内容分析,揭示了一些主题。第一个目标揭示了以下主题:18 - 39岁年龄段:(a)感到羞愧或受辱(92.4%),(b)与朋友和家人疏远,(c)将骚扰视为积极的并在规则方面遇到困难。40 - 59岁年龄段:(a)对爱好失去兴趣(89.5%),(b)质疑自己做过或没做过的事情,(c)有一种错过感。60岁及以上年龄段:(a)消极想法和自我对话(91.3%),(b)感觉受到负面评判,(c)感到经济上脆弱。第二个目标显示:18 - 39岁年龄段:(a)抑郁症状(79.7%),(b)易怒,(c)自杀行为。40 - 59岁年龄段:(a)焦虑(93.2%),(b)自卑,(c)物质使用。60岁及以上年龄段:(a)沮丧(78.1%),(b)孤立,(c)睡眠和饮食模式紊乱。本研究强调了网络欺凌对各年龄组的重大心理和情感影响,强调需要有针对性的干预措施,以应对不同生命阶段的个体所面临的独特挑战。研究结果强调了制定针对不同年龄的策略以减轻网络欺凌影响的重要性,并让实施者为他们对他人以及最终对自己的鲁莽漠视负责。