Search Results (83)

Background: School bullying, be it in its traditional form or as cyberbullying, is a worldwide phenomenon, with significant impacts on schoolchildren’s wellbeing, and its accurate evaluation is thus key in prevention and intervention. The aim of the present study was to validate the Spanish version of the Zurich Brief Bullying Scales (ZBBS), a brief and effective instrument to measure school bullying victimisation and perpetration in different settings. Method: The sample comprised 2125 students of secondary education (11–17 years) in Spain. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to evaluate the structure of the scale. Results: We examined the scale’s reliability (α > 0.7 in all the subscales) and correlations to test its construct validity and its concurrent validity with the Kidscreen-52 victimisation and self-esteem scales, and with cyberbullying scales (European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire). The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed two independent factors: victimisation and perpetration. Conclusions: The results supported the psychometric soundness of the ZBBS, evidencing its applicability in measuring school bullying and cyberbullying in different age groups and genders. We discuss the implications for its use in research and educational practice, underscoring its potential as a brief and valid instrument for monitoring school bullying and cyberbullying across early to late adolescence in Spanish-speaking educational contexts. Full article

Cyberbullying generally reveals two leading players: the attacker side (perpetrator) and the victim side; each side has its distinctive social and psychological dynamics. In most prior empirical studies, the victim side is pivotal, as it bears the direct psychological and emotional consequences of online aggression. Recently, cyberbullying victimisation has been elevated as a main psychological concern among university students. Nevertheless, the moderating role of family support remained untested, particularly in a collectivist cultural context such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study tested the impacts of cyberbullying victimisation on mental health consequences (anxiety, stress, and depression) among KSA university students. The study further tested family support as a moderator in these relationships. Data was collected from 650 students employing a self-structured survey. The data obtained was analyzed using “Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling” (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that cyberbullying-victimization can significantly raise students’ anxiety, stress, and depressive signs, supporting its place as a critical psychological risk factor. Contrary to the “traditional stress-buffering theory”, family support failed to alleviate the influence of cyberbullying-victimization on anxiety and stress, and unexpectedly, higher levels of family support were related to higher depressive levels, suggesting a reverse-buffering impact. These results highlighted the complicated relationships between family support and emotional outcomes in the context of digital threats. The study stressed the urgent need for culturally delicate mediations, such as training sessions for digital resilience, and colleague-based supportive systems to successfully deal with the mental health consequences of cybervictimization. Full article

Relational aggression (RA) is characterised by social manipulation and covert harm, often involving fluid and overlapping experiences of both perpetration and victimisation. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify subgroups of young Australian adults based on their self-reported experiences of RA and explore whether these RA typologies are associated with broader aggressive traits and behaviours. We used a community sample of Australian adults aged 18–25 (N = 206, Mean age = 21.8, SD = 2.24, 77% female). Three distinct profiles emerged: predominantly victimised, combined victims–perpetrators (enmeshed), and the uninvolved. We observed strong indications that the experience of RA, even when predominantly as victimisation, was associated with increased odds of experiencing and perpetrating any aggression or violent behaviour compared to the uninvolved (OR = 5.17, [1.42–18.87] and OR = 3.21 [1.09–9.63] for the enmeshed and victimised classes, respectively, perpetrating any violent act). Conclusion: These results suggest the bidirectional nature of RA extends into young adulthood, and that distinct RA profiles exhibit differing patterns of broader aggressive behaviour. This study highlights that any approaches to further investigating or intervening with RA require consideration of the bidirectional nature of RA between perpetration and victimisation. Full article

Longitudinal studies consistently demonstrate that repeated exposure to peer victimisation can have enduring consequences for children and adolescents’ mental health. Documented outcomes include elevated risks of disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and self-harm or suicidality, as well as broader psychosocial difficulties such as low self-esteem, loneliness, and internalising difficulties. However, prevalence estimates and effect sizes vary widely, reflecting differences in study design, measurement strategies, follow-up length, and the operationalisation of victimisation. This systematic review synthesises findings from 24 longitudinal studies to provide a comprehensive account of the mental health and psychosocial outcomes associated with peer victimisation. Evidence was strongest for depression and anxiety disorders, where multiple population-based cohorts in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scandinavia showed robust prospective and retrospective associations, with risks amplified by repeated or persistent exposure. Peer victimisation also functioned as a traumatic stressor, predicting later post-traumatic stress symptoms, while self-harm and suicidality were elevated in several large-scale studies, though findings were less consistent. Additional work linked victimisation to later impaired well-being, including low self-esteem and internalizing difficulties. Mediators such as rumination, hostile attributions, and internalised stigma and moderators including gender, school belonging, and family support further explained heterogeneity in outcomes. By integrating findings across diverse contexts, this review clarifies the breadth and severity of long-term consequences of peer victimisation, highlighting both psychological mechanisms and contextual buffers. These insights can inform theoretical models of victimisation as a developmental risk factor and support the design of targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Full article

This study examines how anti-gender actors represent themselves as legitimate participants in debates on equality politics. Drawing on Mouffe’s distinction between agonism and antagonism, we argue that anti-gender actors foster conflict and exclusion through “moral panic” and the “politics of fear” regarding the issues related to equality politics, while at the same time presenting themselves as neutral, rational, and pluralistic. This dual strategy allows them to insert themselves into democratic debate and present themselves as legitimate “adversaries” rather than “enemies” to those who genuinely advocate for equality politics. We contend that such efforts to simulate agonism are particularly evident in Slovenia, where anti-gender organisations operate as covert allies of the Roman Catholic Church. In a context where public trust in the Church is low and the separation of church and state is strongly valued, efforts to re-Catholicise society rely on secularised means. We argue that this renders strategies of simulating agonism and conforming to secular–democratic values especially salient in the Slovenian context. To identify these strategies, we conducted semi-structured interviews with Slovenian anti-gender actors. Our analysis revealed four interrelated tactics: “self-victimisation”, portraying themselves as excluded and marginalised; “call for dialogue,” stressing a purported willingness to engage with opponents; “depoliticisation”, framing their role as neutral and non-ideological; and “claim of public support”, invoking a “silenced majority” allegedly constrained by a prevailing climate of “leftist” fear and censorship. The significance of this study lies in the fact that, despite extensive scholarly work on anti-gender mobilisations, analyses drawing on interviews with anti-gender actors themselves remain rare. Full article

Homelessness is characterised by a wide range of risk factors of a multidimensional and unstable nature. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these risk factors associated with homelessness but also prompted the development of prevention and care actions. This study identified and mapped the intervention programmes carried out for people experiencing homelessness in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the study purpose, a thematic analysis of the scientific literature was conducted following the search strategy and analysis methodology characteristic of informetrics and scientometrics. The sources of information used were WoS, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and ERIC. The paucity of planned actions, most of which have a local impact, reinforces the need to strengthen research that presents robust evidence on this issue. China and Europe are under-represented compared to other types of studies linked to COVID-19 and the prevalence of homelessness. Several clusters are distinguished among the plans: they are carried out in buildings or in geographical areas and according to the impact on the group (preventive, substance-related disorder support, health care and diagnostic). Among the emerging themes, health and social variables are represented, including communication and trust between health, community and homeless groups. The reduction in the thematic dimensionality shows equal planning between health care actions (81.8%) and psychosocial and prevention support (72.8%), an aspect that confirms the importance of joint actions. In this line, among the various clusters of the network analysis, the relationship between hotel, mental health support, substance-related disorder, social intervention and access to permanent housing was found. The studies analysed also highlight social exclusion, stigma, victimisation, living conditions and the risk of contagion among this group. This situation has not gone unnoticed among the studies analysed, which present proposals for the continuation of the projects. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of behaviours related to problematic Internet and social media use, as well as for the experience of cybervictimisation. The literature highlights the need to examine these types of adolescent behaviours. Method: A field study was designed to analyse the prevalence of problematic Internet and social media use, as well as cybervictimisation, sexting, and grooming. In total, 666 Spanish adolescents participated, 55.4% females and 44.6% males, with an age range between 14 and 18 years (M = 15.27, SD = 1.01). Results: The results showed that 15.8% of the participants were diagnosed as at risk for Internet and social media addiction; 27.2% of the participants were diagnosed as cyberbullying victims; 14.7% of the sample engaged in sexting behaviours, and 34.7% engaged in grooming behaviours. Additionally, significant gender differences were found in cybervictimisation behaviours, with females scoring higher. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in relation to the need to develop preventive and educational strategies that promote the safe and responsible use of the digital context. Full article

Sexual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, yet individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant stigma and discrimination, affecting self-esteem, relationships, and sexual expression. This review examined the recent literature (2020–January 2024) on intimacy and sexuality among adolescents and young adults with ASD, incorporating 32 studies. Findings highlight poorer sexual health among autistic individuals compared to the general population, with difficulties in forming romantic relationships and navigating sexual interactions due to hypersensitivity. Autism is also linked to non-conforming gender identities and asexuality, exposing individuals to dual stigma within the LGBTQ+ community. Autism-related traits hinder sexual health knowledge, increasing risks of victimisation, abuse, and sexually transmitted infections. Comprehensive sexual education and inclusive support are crucial to address these challenges and promote sexual well-being for autistic individuals. Full article

The widespread adoption of social networking sites (SNSs) has brought social-engineering victimisation (SEV) to the forefront as a significant concern in recent years. Common examples of social-engineering attacks include phishing websites, fake user accounts, fraudulent messages, impersonation of close friends, and malicious links shared through comments or posts on SNS platforms. The increasing number of SNS users is closely linked to a rise in SEV incidents. Consequently, it is essential to explore relevant theories, frameworks, and contributing factors to better understand this phenomenon. This study systematises and analyses 47 scholarly works on SEV in SNSs, examining theories, frameworks, and influencing factors. A total of 90 independent variables were identified and grouped into seven perspectives: socio-demographics, personality traits, socio-emotional factors, habitual factors, perceptual/cognitive factors, message characteristics, and sender characteristics; these were considered alongside mediating variables. The correlations between these variables and victimisation outcomes were evaluated, uncovering factors that increase vulnerability and highlighting contradictory findings in existing studies. This systematised analysis emphasises the limitations in current research and identifies future research directions in order to deepen the understanding of the factors influencing SEV. By addressing these gaps, this study aims to advance mitigation strategies and provide actionable insights to reduce SEV in SNS contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: The primary factors influencing victimisation in bullying have recently become a topic of debate in the psychological literature. This research sought to explore the association between self-criticism (as captured in terms of inadequate self, hated self, and reassured self) and bullying victimisation, also addressing the moderating effects of gender. Methods: This study relies on a cross-sectional research design, enrolling a sample of 328 adolescents (M_age = 14.93; SD_age = 0.81; 162 females, 49.4%). Participants completed a short questionnaire about their age, gender, and family’s socio-economic status. They also answered questions from the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale and the Florence Bullying and Victimisation Scales. Results: Statistical analysis indicated gender moderated only the interplay between hated self and bullying victimisation. Conclusions: Through a multidimensional approach, these findings provided further insight into the primary factors of self to the phenomenon of bullying victimisation, also yielding further evidence about the key role of gender during a critical developmental stage, such as adolescence. Limitations, implications, and future research directions are discussed. Full article

The increase in screen time observed in recent years has exposed adolescents to a heightened risk of involvement in cyberbullying, negatively affecting their relational and psychological well-being. This study analyses data from a 2022 representative survey of Italian adolescents employing an interdisciplinary approach. Through bivariate analyses and logistic regression models, it investigates the key sociodemographic characteristics of perpetrators, victims, and victim-perpetrators, alongside the sociological and psychological factors associated with these roles. The findings reveal that cyberbullying victimisation disproportionately affects girls and foreign adolescents, though it spans across various family backgrounds, age groups, and school types. Of particular concern are those who are both perpetrators and victims (14.2%), as they represent the most vulnerable group. These adolescents, who react to online and offline violence with further online aggression, suffer from poor-quality relationships, adherence to racist stereotypes, tolerance for violence, and scarce psychological well-being, in terms of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies, highlighting the crucial role of teachers and parents in in addressing and mitigating the impact of cyberbullying. Full article

People are increasingly turning to online settings to disclose very personal experiences, such as unwanted sexual encounters. Whilst the barriers to disclosure of such experiences and the positive effects of disclosure are well documented, little is known about the online disclosure experiences of survivors and victims of sexual violence, and no research has assessed differences between online and offline disclosures. This study assessed experiences of online and offline disclosures (N = 369; 86.4% female), focusing on people’s reasons for (non-)disclosure, the severity of people’s unwanted sexual experiences, the reactions they received to their disclosures, and how they felt about the disclosure. The results indicated differences between online and offline disclosures, with offline disclosures more strongly associated with negative responses than online disclosures. Moreover, people felt more positively about an online disclosure than they did about an offline disclosure. The interplay between these various factors and how people felt about their disclosure showed a different pattern across online and offline contexts. Implications and directions for future research are discussed. Full article

Sectoral and institutional context[s] are critical to understanding how workplace toxicity manifests and how it might best be addressed. The education sector, specifically higher education, is the focus of this study, drawing on qualitative data collected from Irish Higher Education Institutions [HEIs]. Underpinned by a multi-faceted conceptualisation of bullying, the study explores how it is experienced by university staff and how institutional or contextual factors impinge on that experience. The study employed a qualitative interpretive methodology involving one-to-one semi-structured interviews with self-selecting participants. Persons who currently work or have recently worked in higher education institutions were recruited into the study. A generic thematic approach resulted in five intersecting themes, converging on one overarching organising construct, i.e., bullying in higher education as a traumatic process. The data displayed relationality, institutionalisation and unethicality, which are underlying features of a multi-faceted conceptualisation of bullying. It was concluded that the processes and procedures in place to address bullying and provide redress do not appear to be sufficiently nuanced to accommodate the complex behaviours and power plays involved in bullying in Higher Education, assuming a rationality stripped of power dynamics, which risks aggravating the damage already inflicted by bullying. The findings suggest that the institutional response, or lack thereof, can sometimes be more traumatising than the bullying itself. Individual cases often reflect a wider organisational culture that tolerates bullying and victimisation. Institutional responses will need to tackle the entire HEI ecosystem, requiring and a more nuanced understanding of the power dynamics and organisational context. Full article

The share of boys and men among detected victims of human trafficking is increasing globally, yet there is limited evidence on the specific experiences of these populations. The knowledge gap on mental health outcomes and support needs is particularly salient, which is problematic given the importance of psychological and emotional stabilisation in promoting recovery and avoiding re-victimisation. This systematic review reports on mental health outcomes identified in boys and young men who have experienced human trafficking. By describing the implications for services, the review seeks to identify challenges and opportunities in accessing and delivering mental health care and support to this population in post-trafficking settings. The review includes 31 papers published in English after 2000 and identified through database and grey literature searches. Despite significant limitations, such as a lack of gender-disaggregated results and imbalanced sample composition, which limit the possibility of extracting male-specific findings, the review highlights several mental health symptoms commonly described in the literature (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD, lack of self-esteem, lack of self-control). Regarding mental health care support, the review further identifies challenges specific to boys and young men (e.g., poor identification as trafficking victims) and challenges that disproportionately impact this population (e.g., confidentiality concerns; reluctance to seek help; trust issues). Full article

Young children’s social behaviour plays an important role in their lives. Most research makes use of reports from adults and peers, rather than speaking to young children about their own behaviour. The current study was exploratory and looked at children’s self-reports of solitary, prosocial and aggressive behaviours, and victimisation experiences, during the formative school years. Children aged between four and seven years (n = 193) were recruited from three primary schools. Using an innovative method with stick-figure animations, they were asked to provide frequency ratings of 16 of their own behaviours. Class teachers were also asked to provide ratings for the participating children’s behaviours. Key findings showed that children offer unique insight into their behaviour and experiences. Specifically, children’s self-reports of victimisation experiences are more complex than their teachers; and teachers were found to under-report solitary behaviour in boys in comparison to self-reports. Self-reports of prosocial and aggressive behaviour showed some possible social desirability amongst 6–7-year-olds, but there are also potential situational and gender biases in reports from their teachers. These findings show the importance of including young children’s self-reports in the study of their behaviour. Full article