Relationships among cyberbullying, parental attitudes, self-harm and suicidal behavior among adolescents: results from a school-based survey in Vietnam

• Published in: BMC public health 2020-04, Vol.20 (1), p.476-476, Article 476
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Hoang Thuy Linh, Nakamura, Keiko, Seino, Kaoruko, Vo, Van Thang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Attitude; Attitudes; Bullying; Child; Childhood mental disorders; Confidence intervals; Cyberbullying; Cyberbullying - statistics & numerical data; Developing countries; Female; Gender; Health aspects; Humans; LDCs; Male; Mental disorders; Mental health; Parental attitude; Parents - psychology; Polls & surveys; Public health; Regression analysis; Regression models; Risk Factors; Schools; Self destructive behavior; Self-harm; Self-Injurious Behavior - epidemiology; Self-injury; Social aspects; Social networks; Social organization; Statistical analysis; Students; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Studies; Suicidal behavior; Suicidal behaviors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicides & suicide attempts; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teenagers; Vietnam; Vietnam - epidemiology; Youth
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08500-3

The rapid and widespread development of social networking sites has created a venue for an increase in cyberbullying among adolescents. Protective mechanisms and actions must be considered, such as how proximal family factors can prevent self-harm and suicidal behaviors among adolescents exposed to cyberbullying. The present study examined the associations among cyberbullying, parental attitudes, self-harm, and suicidal behaviors after adjusting for confounding factors. Data were obtained from a school-based survey of randomly selected grade 6 students (11 years old) performed in Hue City, Vietnam, in 2018. A total of 648 students were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire based on the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Univariate, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. After adjusting for gender, perceived academic pressure, unhealthy behaviors, use of Internet devices, school bullying, and family living situation, a significantly higher risk of self-harm was detected among those who had experienced cyberbullying (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 2.97; 95% CI, 1.32-6.71). Parental acceptance retained a significant association with self-harm and suicidal behavior (P