Adolescents (Oct 2021)

Mood and Suicidality among Cyberbullied Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study from Youth Risk Behavior Survey

  • Ya-Ching Hsieh,
  • Pratik Jain,
  • Nikhila Veluri,
  • Jatminderpal Bhela,
  • Batool Sheikh,
  • Fariha Bangash,
  • Jayasudha Gude,
  • Rashmi Subhedar,
  • Michelle Zhang,
  • Mansi Shah,
  • Zeeshan Mansuri,
  • Urvish Patel,
  • Kapil Kiran Aedma,
  • Tapan Parikh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents1040031
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 4
pp. 412 – 420

Abstract

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Background: There is limited literature available showing the mental health burden among adolescents following cyberbullying. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the association between low mood and suicidality among cyberbullied adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional analysis of the data was performed among adolescents from the National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Responses from adolescents related to cyberbullying and suicidality were evaluated. Chi-square and mix-effect multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of cyberbullying with sadness/hopelessness and suicide consideration, plan, and attempts. Results: Of a total of 8274 adolescents, 14.8% of adolescents faced cyberbullying past year. There was a higher prevalence of cyberbullying in youths aged 15, 16, and 17 years (25%, 26%, 23%, respectively), which included more females than males (68% vs. 32%; p p p < 0.0001). On regression analysis, cyberbullied adolescents had a 155% higher chance of feeling sad and hopeless [aOR = 2.55; 95%CI = 2.39–2.72] and considered suicide [aOR = 1.52 (1.39–1.66)] and suicide plan [aOR = 1.24 (1.13–1.36)]. Conclusion: In our Study, cyberbullying was associated with negative mental health outcomes. Further research is warranted to examine the impact of cyberbullying among adolescents and guiding the policies to mitigate the consequences.

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