Citation

Hemphill SA, Kotevski A, Heerde JA. Int. J. Public Health 2015; 60(2): 227-237.

Affiliation

Learning Sciences Institute Australia Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia, sheryl.hemphill@acu.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00038-014-0644-9

PMID

25588814

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations between Grade 9 and 10 cyber-bullying perpetration and victimization and Grade 11 problem behavior and mental health problems after controlling for risk factors for these outcomes in the analyses.

METHODS: The sample comprised 927 students from Victoria, Australia who completed a modified version of the self-report Communities That Care Youth Survey in Grades 9-11 to report on risk factors, traditional and cyber-bullying perpetration and victimization, problem behavior, and mental health. Complete data on over 650 participants were analyzed.

RESULTS: Five per cent of Grade 9 and 10 students reported cyber-bullying perpetration only, 6-8 % reported victimization only, and 8-9 % both cyber-bullied others and were cyber-bullied.

RESULTS showed that cyber-bullying others in Grade 10 was associated with theft in Grade 11, cyber-victimization in Grade 10 was linked with Grade 11 depressive symptoms, and Grade 10 cyber-bullying perpetration and victimization combined predicted Grade 11 school suspension and binge drinking.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevention approaches that target traditional and cyber-bullying, and established risk factors are necessary. Such multi-faceted programs may also reduce problem behavior and mental health problems.

Language: en