Relations of cyber bullying sensitivity to perceived social support and to parent and peer attachments in high school students

Current Research and Reviews in Psychology and Psychiatry, cilt.2, sa.1, ss.11-29, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)

Growing evidence has shown the importance of cyberbullying sensitivity in

preventing cyberbullying in adolescence. Yet, limited research has examined the

relations of cyberbullying sensitivity to perceived social support as well as to

attachment with parents and peers. The aim of this study was to examine the

relations of cyberbullying sensitivity to sociodemographic characteristics, internet

usage characteristics, perceived social support, and parental and peer attachment in

high school students. The present study was a cross-sectional school survey to

which a total of 831 adolescents were admitted (505 males and 326 females; mean

age, 16.13 years). The adolescents completed some forms and scales, including a

Personal Information Questionnaire, the Cyber Bullying Sensitivity Scale (CSS),

theMultidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS), and the Parent and

Peer Attachment Inventory (IPPA). The resulting findings showed that 74.6% of

participants had daily internet access. In this context, it was found that household

rules for internet use were less strict among those participants who were

comparatively older or were attending higher classes. It was also determined that

students with high social support and parental attachment scores spent less time on

the internet. Girls’ scores for CSS, friend support, and peer attachment were found

higher than those found in the boys. A positive correlation was established between

the CSS scores and theMPSSS and IPPA scores. Social support and attachment