Cybervictims' emotional responses, attributions, and coping strategies for cyber victimization: a qualitative approach. Issue 3 (11th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wright, Michelle F.
• Is Part Of: Safer communities. Volume 15:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2016-07-11
• Subjects: Adolescent -- Emotion -- Coping -- Cyberbullying -- Attribution -- Cyber victimization -- Victim; Crime prevention -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 364.40941
• DOI: 10.1108/SC-03-2016-0006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-8043

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand cybervictims' attributions, emotional responses, and coping strategies for cyberbullying incidents that they actually experienced. Design/methodology/approach: There were 76 cybervictims (51 percent girls) between the ages of 12 and 14 included in this study. Adolescents participated in one-on-one interviews to provide comprehensive information about their attributions, emotional responses, and coping strategies for their actual experiences of cyberbullying. Findings: Findings from the study revealed that cybervictims felt insecure and paranoid after experiencing cyber victimization. Cybervictims attributed to their experience of cyberbullying to drama or a fight between themselves and the perpetrators as well as being targeted by an ex-significant other or ex-friend seeking revenge against them for relationship dissolution. They also used adaptive (e.g. social support) and maladaptive (e.g. revenge) coping strategies to deal with cyber victimization, sometimes utilizing a combination of these strategies. Originality/value: The findings of this study could help with the design of intervention and prevention programs designed to reduce or prevent the negative effects of cyberbullying.