Cyber-bullying: An investigation of the psychological profile of university student participants

The present study investigated the psychological profile of 430 Greek university students who reported cyber-bullying/victimization experiences. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, measuring cyber-bullying, cyber-victimization, Internet frequency and use, personality characteristics,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied developmental psychology 2014-05, Vol.35 (3), p.204-214
Main Authors: Kokkinos, Constantinos M., Antoniadou, Nafsika, Markos, Angelos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
cyber-bullying
cyber-victimization
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Internet
Learning. Memory
online aggression
personality profile
Preventive programmes
Psychological problems
Psychological profiles
psychological symptoms
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychopathy
Selfreport
Theories
university students
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Summary:The present study investigated the psychological profile of 430 Greek university students who reported cyber-bullying/victimization experiences. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, measuring cyber-bullying, cyber-victimization, Internet frequency and use, personality characteristics, and psychological symptoms. Results indicated that 58.4% of the sample had participated in a cyber-bullying incident assuming any role. Cyber bully/victims, the most common participant role, endorsed more psychological symptoms, more psychopathic traits, and were high sensation seekers, compared to the rest of the groups, whereas cyber-victims scored higher on empathy. Cyber-bullying was predicted by callous/unemotional and impulsive/irresponsible traits, depression, Internet use, as well as lack of social skills. The latter four variables also predicted cyber-victimization along with gender. Findings are discussed in terms of prevention and intervention strategies. •Self-reported cyber-bullying/victimization in 430 Greek university students was examined.•Bully/victim was the most common participant role.•Bully/victims reported more psychopathology, psychopathic traits, and sensation seeking.•Personality and psychopathology predicted both cyber-bullying/victimization.
ISSN:0193-3973
1873-7900
DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2014.04.001