Comparative optimism and cyberbullying: The role of previous involvement in cyberbullying and technology

Journal article

Betts, L. and Macaulay, P. 2024. Comparative optimism and cyberbullying: The role of previous involvement in cyberbullying and technology. International Journal of Developmental Science . 18 (3-4), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3233/DEV-240005
AuthorsBetts, L. and Macaulay, P.
Abstract

Individuals hold optimistic beliefs about the likelihood of experiencing cyberbullying relative to others. However, how cyberbullying experiences and technology use influence these
perceptions remains unclear. Data was collected from 444 (371 female, 71 male, 2 non-disclosed) students (Mage = 20.38, SDage = 3.51) recruited from two Universities in the UK.
Participants completed questionnaires assessing problematic internet use, fear of missing out (FoMO), previous experiences of cyberbullying, and the likelihood with which they and eight comparator groups would experience cyberbullying. Problematic internet use and being a
victim (negatively) and witness (positively) mediated the relationship between FoMO and comparative optimistic beliefs for experiencing cyberbullying. Elevated FoMO predicted
greater problematic internet use which predicted being a victim and witness. Being a: (a) victim predicted reduced comparative optimism and (b) witness predicted increased
comparative optimism. Therefore, adults who have previously experienced cyberbullying hold less optimistic beliefs whereas those who witness cyberbullying hold optimistic beliefs.

KeywordsComparative optimism; Cyberbullying; Fear of missing out; problematic internet use; Risk perceptions
Year2024
JournalInternational Journal of Developmental Science
Journal citation18 (3-4), pp. 1-9
PublisherSAGE Journals
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3233/DEV-240005
Web address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3233/DEV-240005
Accepted author manuscript
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Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online27 Dec 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted01 Nov 2024
Deposited06 Mar 2025
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