The impact of cyberbullying on substance use and mental health in a multiethnic sample.
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health problems among a multiethnic sample of high school students in Hawai'i. A University-Community partnership was established to direct the research. Using a mixed-methods approach, we explored violence among Asian and Pacific Islander youth. In the first phase, focus groups were conducted to identify areas of youth concern and develop survey questions. Responses from 677 high school students on interpersonal youth violence and risk and protective factors were utilized in this study. More than 1 in 2 youth (56.1%) had been victims of cyberbullying in the last year. Filipino and Samoan youth were more likely to report feeling badly about themselves as a result of cyberbullying. While cyberbullying and mental health problems varied by sex and ethnicity, we found that cyberbullying is widespread with serious potential consequences among Asian and Pacific Islander youth. A multifaceted approach is needed to reduce and prevent cyberbullying. School, family and community programs that strengthen positive relationships and promote safe use of technology provide promise for reducing cyberbullying.
Goebert
Deborah
D
Department of Psychiatry, Alcohol Research Center of Hawai`i, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, School of Medicine, 1356 Lusitana St., 4th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. goebertd@dop.hawaii.edu
Else
Iwalani
I
Matsu
Courtenay
C
Chung-Do
Jane
J
Chang
Janice Y
JY
D000293:Adolescent; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006254:Hawaii / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology
J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;49(4):376-85
18363945
J Anxiety Disord. 2001 Nov-Dec;15(6):511-33
11764310
J Adolesc Health. 2007 Dec;41(6 Suppl 1):S1-5
18047940
MMWR Recomm Rep. 2004 Sep 24;53(RR-12):1-13
15385915
J Sch Health. 2008 Sep;78(9):496-505
18786042
Pediatrics. 2006 Oct;118(4):e1169-77
17015505