Differences in predictors of traditional and cyber-bullying: a 2-year longitudinal study in Korean school children

• Published in: European child & adolescent psychiatry 2013-05, Vol.22 (5), p.309-318
• Main Authors: Yang, Su-Jin, Stewart, Robert, Kim, Jae-Min, Kim, Sung-Wan, Shin, Il-Seon, Dewey, Michael E., Maskey, Sean, Yoon, Jin-Sang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aggressiveness; Anxiety; Anxiety - psychology; Anxiety-Depression; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Behavior; Bullying; Bullying - psychology; Child; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Children; Children & youth; Crime Victims - psychology; Cyberbullying; Depression - psychology; Female; Humans; Internet; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental depression; Original Contribution; Peer Group; Prevention programs; Prospective Studies; Psychiatry; Psychopathology; Questionnaires; Republic of Korea; Schools; Self Concept; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms; Victimization
• ISSN: 1018-8827; 1435-165X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00787-012-0374-6

Traditional bullying has received considerable research but the emerging phenomenon of cyber-bullying much less so. Our study aims to investigate environmental and psychological factors associated with traditional and cyber-bullying. In a school-based 2-year prospective survey, information was collected on 1,344 children aged 10 including bullying behavior/experience, depression, anxiety, coping strategies, self-esteem, and psychopathology. Parents reported demographic data, general health, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. These were investigated in relation to traditional and cyber-bullying perpetration and victimization at age 12. Male gender and depressive symptoms were associated with all types of bullying behavior and experience. Living with a single parent was associated with perpetration of traditional bullying while higher ADHD symptoms were associated with victimization from this. Lower academic achievement and lower self esteem were associated with cyber-bullying perpetration and victimization, and anxiety symptoms with cyber-bullying perpetration. After adjustment, previous bullying perpetration was associated with victimization from cyber-bullying but not other outcomes. Cyber-bullying has differences in predictors from traditional bullying and intervention programmes need to take these into consideration.