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School climate and cyberbullying victimization: A meta-analysis

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  • Li, Sen
  • Gong, Ningning
  • Lin, Yijin
  • Huang, Fengwen
  • Zhang, Shuangxi
  • Yu, Guoliang

Abstract

In recent years, cyberbullying victimization has become a serious public health problem in the world. It is imperative to examine risk factors in order to prevent it properly. Previous studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the relation between school climate and cyberbullying victimization, with some showing a significant association and others failing to confirm this link. Using meta-analytic approaches, this study aimed to explore the relation between school climate and cyberbullying victimization, and to investigate the moderating effects of gender, educational stage, and culture. A literature search yielded 40 effect sizes (N = 122,567) included in the meta-analysis. Results based on a random-effects model showed a significant negative relation between school climate and cyberbullying victimization (r = −0.19, p < 0.001). Furthermore, moderating analyses indicated that school climate was more strongly associated with cyberbullying victimization among middle school students than among high school students (Q = 8.97, p = 0.003). However, gender (β = 0.06, p = 0.506) and culture (Q = 0.04, p = 0.842) did not moderate the association between school climate and cyberbullying victimization. In conclusion, there is a significant association between school climate and cyberbullying victimization, with educational stage serving as a moderating factor.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Sen & Gong, Ningning & Lin, Yijin & Huang, Fengwen & Zhang, Shuangxi & Yu, Guoliang, 2025. "School climate and cyberbullying victimization: A meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:169:y:2025:i:c:s0190740924006364
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.108064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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