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Victims of Cyberbullying: Feeling Loneliness and Depression among Youth and Adult Chileans during the Pandemic

Author

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  • Jorge J. Varela

    (Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile)

  • Cristóbal Hernández

    (Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago 7941169, Chile
    Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Rafael Miranda

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Continental del Perú, Lima 12001, Peru)

  • Christopher P. Barlett

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, NY 66506-5302, USA)

  • Matías E. Rodríguez-Rivas

    (Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7610658, Chile)

Abstract

In Chile, during the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of cyberbullying victimization increased for adolescents and younger adults. Research has shown that cyber-victims—adolescents and young adults alike—are at greater risk for mental health problems such as depression as a result of this negative type of aggression. Yet, a paucity of research has examined the individual mechanisms germane to cyber-victim depression. We focused on loneliness for the current study. We hypothesized that cyber-victimization would be positively related to depressive symptoms through increased fears of loneliness and that this effect would differ between adolescents and younger adults. Thus, we examined a sample of 2370 participants from all main regions of Chile aged from 15 to 29 years. Moderated mediation results showed a negative effect of cyberbullying on depression, which was mediated by increased fears of being alone. The effect of frequency of cyberbullying on fear of loneliness was stronger for younger adults compared to adolescents. Our results suggest different mechanisms for both age groups, which can inform prevention programs and their specific activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge J. Varela & Cristóbal Hernández & Rafael Miranda & Christopher P. Barlett & Matías E. Rodríguez-Rivas, 2022. "Victims of Cyberbullying: Feeling Loneliness and Depression among Youth and Adult Chileans during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:5886-:d:813940
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Sorrentino & Francesco Sulla & Margherita Santamato & Marco di Furia & Giusi Antonia Toto & Lucia Monacis, 2023. "Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization Prevalence among Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-20, May.

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