Cyberbullying among medical school students: an examination of the relationship between frequency, sensitivity, and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study
BMC Public Health, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12889-026-28421-x
- Dergi Adı: BMC Public Health
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Public Affairs Index, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Anxiety, Cyberbullying, Depression, Hostility, Medical school students, Negative self-concept, Somatisation
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Cyberbullying is intentional, repeated harm carried out through electronic devices. Victims may develop anxiety, depression, a negative self-concept, and poorer academic performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration, cyberbullying sensitivity, and the associated psychological symptoms among 259 medical students at Ankara University. Data were collected using a 25-item questionnaire, the Revised Cyberbullying Inventory for University Students, the Cyberbullying Sensitivity Scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI); analyses were conducted in SPSS 30. Results: Overall, 28.2% of participants reported being victims of cyberbullying (victimisation) and 9.7% reported perpetrating it; 3.2% of victims reported suicidal thoughts. Victimisation was more common among third-year students, heavy internet users (> 6 h/day), and users of friendship and betting platforms, as well as among students who had themselves perpetrated cyberbullying. Perpetration was more common among males, third-year students, frequent users of gaming, friendship, and betting platforms, and those reporting victimisation at least once every 6–12 months. For psychological symptoms, women had higher depression and somatisation scores. Anxiety, depression, somatisation, and negative self-concept scores were higher among third-year students. BSI scores rose as the frequency of victimisation increased, and students reporting prior perpetration had higher hostility scores. In logistic regression, victimisation was associated with higher odds among third-year students (OR 2.96), those who met new people online (OR 3.09), and those who reported harassing others online (OR 27.15); perpetration was associated with higher odds among males (OR 16.32), betting-website users (OR 10.79), those victimised at least once a year (OR 24.86), and those victimised at least once every six months (OR 39.17). Conclusions: Cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration were associated with distinct psychosocial factors, online behaviours, and psychological symptoms. Medical schools should establish units that implement holistic prevention strategies incorporating psychosocial support, early identification of at-risk students, and training on safe online behaviour.