Determining Factors in the Perception of Cyberbullying in Victimized Adolescents: Psychoeducational Implications

Abstract

The knowledge of the perceptual structure that victims have of the cyberbullying phenome-non favors the adjustment of prevention and intervention programs. However, there are few studies that try to find out what are the factors that influence the construction of a certain perceptual structure on cyberbullying, let alone those that focus on a population such as victimized adolescents. This paper aims to know the perceptual structure that victimized adolescents have about cyberbullying, as well as the factors that determine the construction or modification of this structure. The sample consisted of 2148 adolescents (49.1% girls) of ages from 12 to 16 (M = 13.9; SD = 1.2). The results have shown that in the victims’ per-ceptual structure the key factor is the intention to harm, closely linked to the asymmetry of power and publicity. Anonymity, revenge and repetition are also present in this structure, although its relationship with cyberbullying is indirect. Likewise, the results indicate that victimization experiences, as well as the intensity of the aggressions suffered, play a mediat-ing role in the formation and modification of this perceptual structure. These results allow defining risk factors that would promote the durability of the victim's role and the conver-sion of victims into poly-victims. Knowledge of this perceptual structure provides key ele-ments for the design of psychoeducational prevention and intervention programs in cyber-bullying.