Cybervictimization and body esteem: Experiences of Swedish children and adolescents
Publication details
| Year: | 2014 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17405629.2013.825604 |
| Issued: | 2013 |
| Language: | English |
| Volume: | 11 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| Start Page: | 331 |
| End Page: | 343 |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Frisén A.; Berne S.; Lunde C. |
| Type: | Journal article |
| Journal: | European Journal of Developmental Psychology |
| Publisher: | Informa UK Limited |
| Topics: | Risks and harms; Other |
| Sample: | 1149 pupils (572 girls and 577 boys) from 21 schools in 1 major city in Sweden. Of these, 342 were from fourth grade (mean age: 10.1 years ± .37), 387 from sixth grade (mean age: 12.0 years ± .35) and 420 from ninth grade (mean age: 15.0 years ± .25). |
| Implications For Parents About: | Parenting guidance / support ; Other |
| Other Parent Implication: | Cyberbullying may lead to victims' poor body esteem |
| Implications For Educators About: | Other |
| Implications For Stakeholders About: | Researchers |
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between cybervictimization and body esteem among 1076 pupils, ages 10–15. More specifically we investigated if being the victim of cyberbullying was related to body esteem, and if there were any grade and gender differences in these relationships. Additionally, we examined how often pupils' believed that cyberbullying was directed at the victims' appearance, and if this view was more common when girls were cybervictims compared to when boys were cybervictims. Pupils in fourth grade (10-year-olds), sixth grade (12-year-olds) and ninth grade (15-year-olds), from 21 different schools in Gothenburg were surveyed. The main finding was that victims of cyberbullying reported poorer body esteem than non-cybervictims. The results also showed that pupils believed that cyberbullying was directed at the victims' appearance, especially when girls were victims. This study provides unique data concerning the links between being exposed to cyberbullying and body esteem.
Outcome
"The main finding of this study was that victims of cyberbullying reported poorer body esteem than non-cybervictims. The results further showed that pupils believed that cyberbullying was directed at the victims' appearance, especially when girls were cybervictims. Finally, being cyberbullied was more common among pupils in fourth grade compared to older pupils, and girls were more likely to be cybervictimized in the fourth grade." (Authors, 339)