ABSTRACTEXAMINING THE IMPACT OF CYBERVICTIMIZATION IN A POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION: UTILIZING GENERAL STRAIN THEORY TO EXPLAIN THE USE OF NEGATIVE COPING MECHANISMSByTegan SmischneySimilar to the consequences of victimization associated with younger populations, cyberbullying victims enrolled in postsecondary institutions report having poor concentration; somatic complaints such as headaches and stomach issues; feelings of vulnerability; elevated levels of depression, suicidal thoughts/ideations, paranoia, anxiety, and fear; and negatively cope by using substances, retaliating, or avoiding school work and activities (Faucher et al., 2014; Rivituson, 2014; Rospenda et al., 2013; Schenk & Fremouw, 2012). Existing research examining the prevalence, impact, and coping mechanisms used by bullying and cyberbullying victims predominately focuses on primary and secondary school children, however, recent research suggests that these behaviors also influence postsecondary students (Faucher, Jackson & Cassidy, 2014; Gibb & Devereux, 2014; Kowalski, Giumetti, Schroeder & Reese, 2012; Rivituso, 2014; Lutgen-Sandvik, 2008; Metsela, 2014; Rospenda, Richman, Wolff, & Burke, 2013; Samnani & Singh, 2012; Schenk & Fremouw, 2012; Sinkkonen, Puhakka & Meriläinen, 2014). Given the negative and potentially lethal consequences associated with cyber-victimization among younger populations it is important to explore this phenomenon within a variety of contexts. Therefore, to help support and extend on existing research, the current study used general strain theory to examine the relationship between cyber-victimization among postsecondary students, the negative emotional states of anxiety, depression, and stress, and the utilization of negative coping mechanisms including online and offline delinquent behaviors, both internal (self-harm and suicidal thoughts/ideations) and external (online and offline bullying perpetration). A sample of 436 undergraduates at a large Midwestern university completed an online self-report survey. Results indicated that cyberbullying is common among postsecondary students. However, the negative emotional states of anxiety, depression, and stress did not mediate the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and negative coping mechanisms as hypothesized. Only stress mediates the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and self-harming behaviors. Implication and future directions for research are discussed.
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