The relationship between cyberbullying and friendship dynamics on adolescent body dissatisfaction: A cross-sectional study. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenny, Ursula; Sullivan, Lindsay; Callaghan, Mary; Molcho, Michal; Kelly, Colette
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 23:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 629
• Page End: 639
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: adolescence -- body image -- health behaviour -- internet -- quantitative methods -- social support; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105316684939
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

The relationship between cyberbullying and friendship dynamics on adolescent body dissatisfaction was examined. Data from the Irish contribution to the international cross-sectional 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study were used. Results showed that girls were three times more likely than boys to report that their body is too fat, and adolescents who were cyberbullied were almost twice as likely as adolescents who were not cyberbullied to consider themselves too fat. Stronger friendship dynamics were associated with decreased levels of body dissatisfaction, and friendship dynamics were found to partially mediate the relationship between cyberbullying and body dissatisfaction.