Predictors of Cyberbullying among Malaysian Youth
Abstract
Cyberbullying has emerged of late as a serious issue, especially among the most active internet users in Malaysia – youths. As the number of related studies is still lacking, the present study aims to determine the predictors of cyberbullying among youths in Malaysia. The study is quantitative in nature and in total had involved 400 youths aged between 18 to 40 years old. The findings suggest that predictors such as age, loneliness, self-esteem, and empathy yielded significant relationship with cyberbullying, while males were predominantly reported to perpetrate cyberbullying than females. Several recommendations were highlighted and hopefully, it can assist any concerned parties in developing concrete strategies to reduce cyberbullying cases among youths in Malaysia further.
Keywords: Youth; Cyberbully; Youth development
References
Ang, R.P., & Goh, D.H. (2010). Cyberbullying among adolescents: The role of affective and cognitive empathy and gender. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 41 (4), 387-397. doi: 10.1007/s10578-010-0176-3.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0176-3
Asher, S.R., Hymel, S., & Renshaw, P.D. (1984). Loneliness in children. Child Development, 55 (4), 1456-1464. doi: 10.2307/1130015
https://doi.org/10.2307/1130015
Balakrishnan, V. (2015). Cyberbullying among young adults in Malaysia: The roles of gender, age and Internet frequency. Computers in Human Behavior, 46, 149-157. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.021
Baldry, A.C., Farrington, D.P., & Sorrentino, A. (2016). Cyberbullying in youth: A pattern of disruptive behaviour. Psicología Educativa, 22, 19-26. doi.org/10.1016/j.pse.2016.02.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pse.2016.02.001
Barlett, C.P., & Chamberlin, K. (2017). Examining cyberbullying across the lifespan. Computers in Human Behavior, 71, 444-449.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.009
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.009
Beckman, L., Hagquist, C., & Hellstrom, L. (2013). Discrepant gender patterns for cyberbullying and traditional bullying - An analysis of Swedish adolescent data. Computers in Human Behavior, 29 (5), 1896-1903.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.03.010
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.03.010
Bentler, P.M., & Bonnet, D.C. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88 (3), 588-606.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.88.3.588
Bentler, P.M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 107 (2), 238-46. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238
Brewer, G., & Kerslake, J. (2015). Cyberbullying, self-esteem, empathy and loneliness. Computers in Human Behavior, 48, 255-260.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.073
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.01.073
Calvete, E., Orue, I., Estevez, A., Villardon, L., & Padilla, P. (2010). Cyberbullying in adolescents: Modalities and aggressors' profile. Computers in Human Behavior, 26 (5), 1128-1135. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.017
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.03.017
Cenat, J.M., Hebert, M., Blais, M., Lavoie, F., & Derivois, D. (2014). Cyberbullying, psychological distress and self-esteem among youth in Quebec schools. Journal of Affective Disorders, 169, 7-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.07.019
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.07.019
Chapin, J., & Coleman, G. (2017). The cycle of cyberbullying: Some experience required. Retrieved from: http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0362331917300319/1-s2.0-S0362331917300319-main.pdf?_tid=1d139c06-605c-11e7-b223-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1499133620_6d4e79fbfd3e109627795f8f0cb69ffb
Chau, P. (1997). Re-examining a model for evaluating information center success using a Structural Equation Modelling approach. Decision Sciences, 28 (2), 309-334. doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01313.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01313.x
Cohen, D., & Strayer, J. (1996). Empathy in conduct-disordered and comparison youth. Developmental Psychology, 32(6), 988-998.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.32.6.988
doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.32.6.988
Cuadrado-Gordillo, I., & Fernández-Antelo, I. (2016). Adolescents' perception of the characterizing dimensions of cyberbullying: Differentiation between bullies' and victims' perceptions. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 653-663.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.005
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.005
Cyberbullying Research Center (2014). What is cyberbullying? Retrieved from: http://cyberbullying.org/what-is-cyberbullying
Del Rey, R., Lazuras, L., Casas, J.A., Barkoukis, V., & Tsorbatzoudis, H. (2016). Does empathy predict (cyber) bullying perpetration, and how do age, gender and nationality affect this relationship. Learning and Individual Differences, 45, 275-281. doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.11.021
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.11.021
Didden, R., Scholte, R.H.J., Korzilius, H., de Moor, J.M.H., Vermeulen, A., O'Reilly, M., Lang, R., & Lancioni, G.E. (2009). Cyberbullying among students with intellectual and developmental disability in special education settings. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 12 (3), 146-151. doi: 10.1080/17518420902971356.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17518420902971356
Doane, A.N., Pearson, M.R., & Kelley, M.L. (2014). Predictors of cyberbullying perpetration among college students: An application of the Theory of Reasoned Action. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 154-162.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.051
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.051
Festl, R. (2016). Perpetrators on the internet: Analyzing individual and structural explanation factors of cyberbullying in the school context. Computers in Human Behavior, 59, 237-248. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.017
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.017
Garaigordobil, M. (2017). Conducta antisocial: conexión con bullying/cyberbullying y estrategias de resolución de conflictos. Psychosocial Intervention, 26 (1), 47-54.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psi.2015.12.002
doi.org/10.1016/j.psi.2015.12.002
Gendron, B.P., Williams, K.R., & Guerra, N.G. (2011). An analysis of bullying among students within schools: Estimating the effects of individual normative beliefs, self-esteem, and school climate. Journal of School Violence, 10 (2), 150-164.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2010.539166
doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2010.539166
Guerra, N.G., Williams, K.R., & Sadek, S. (2011). Understanding bullying and victimization during childhood and adolescence: A mixed-methods study. Child Development, 82 (1), 295-310. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010. 01556.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01556.x
Hair, J.F., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J., & Anderson, R.E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis. Seventh Edition. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Hatcher, L. (1994). A step-by-step approach to using the SAS System for factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.
Hood, M., & Duffy, A.L. (2017). Predictors of victimisation across direct bullying, indirect bullying and cyberbullying. Retrieved from: http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0191886917302556/1-s2.0-S0191886917302556-main.pdf?_tid=9390a38e-605b-11e7-a6e8-00000aacb35f&acdnat=1499133389_f2c237e958f04ea1b888e9b7582d1c1a
Keith, S., & Martin, M.E. (2004). Cyber-bullying: Creating a culture of respect in the cyber world. Retrieved from https://www.crisisprevention.com/Resources/Knowledge-Base/School-Bullying-Resources-and-References/Cyber-Bullying-Creating-a-Culture-of-Respect-in-a
Kokkinos, C.M., Antoniadou, N., & Markos, A. (2014). Cyber-bullying: An investigation of the psychological profile of university student participants. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 35 (3), 204-214.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2014.04.001
doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2014.04.001
Kowalski, R.M., & Limber, S.P. (2013). Psychological, physical and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53 (1), 13-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.018
Laftman, S.B., Modin, B. & Ostberg, V. (2013). Cyberbullying and subjective health: A large-scale study of students in Stockholm, Sweden. Children and Youth Services Review, 35, 112-119. doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.10.020
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.10.020
Larranaga, E., Yubero, S., Ovejero, A., & Navarro, R. (2016). Loneliness, parent-child communication and cyberbullying victimization among Spanish youths. Computers in Human Behavior, 65, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.015
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.08.015
Lee, C., & Shin, N. (2017). Prevalence of cyberbullying and predictors of cyberbullying perpetration among Korean adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 352-358.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.047
doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.047
Li (2010). Cyberbullying in high schools: A study of students' behaviors and beliefs about this phenomenon. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 4, 372-392.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771003788979
doi.org/10.1080/10926771003788979
Mohamad Salleh, N., & Zainal, K. (2014). Bullying among secondary school students in Malaysia: A case study. International Education Studies, 7(13), 184-191. doi: 10.5539/ies.v7n13p184
https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v7n13p184
Monks, C.P., Mahdavi, J., & Rix, K. (2016). The emergence of cyberbullying in childhood: Parent and teacher perspectives. Psicología Educativa, 22(1), 39-48. doi.org/10.1016/j.pse.2016.02.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pse.2016.02.002
Nunnally, J.C (1978). Psychometric theory. 2nd Edition. Mc-Graw Hill, New York.
Palermiti, A.L., Servidio, R., Bartolo, M.G., & Costabile, A. (2017). Cyberbullying and self-esteem: An Italian study. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 136-141. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.026
Park, S., Na, E., & Kim, E. (2014). The relationship between online activities, netiquette and cyberbullying. Children and Youth Services Review, 42, 74-81. doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.04.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.04.002
Rosenberg, M. (1965). The measurement of self-esteem. Society and the Adolescent Self-Image, 297 (1965), p. V307.
https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400876136-009
Sahin, M. (2012). The relationship between the cyberbullying/cyber victimization and loneliness among adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(4), 834-837.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.01.010
doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.01.010
Schoffstall, C.L., & Cohen, R. (2011). Cyber aggression: The relation between online offenders and offline social competence. Social Development, 20 (3), 587-604. doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2011.00609.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2011.00609.x
Segars, A.H., & Grover, V. (1993). Re-examining perceived ease of use and usefulness: a confirmatory factor analysis. MIS Quarterly 17 (4), 517-525. doi:10.2307/249590
https://doi.org/10.2307/249590
Spreng, M.C. KcKinnon, R.A., & Levine, M.B. (2009). The Toronto empathy questionnaire: Scale development and initial validation of a factor-analytic solution to multiple empathy measures. Journal of Personality Assessment, 91, 62-71.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00223890802484381
doi: 10.1080/00223890802484381.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00223890802484381
Tanrikulu, I. & Campbell, M. (2015). Correlates of traditional bullying and cyberbullying perpetration among Australian students. Children and Youth Services Review, 55, 138-146.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.06.001
doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.06.001
Uba, I.U. Yaacob, S.N., & Juhari, R. (2010). Bullying and its' relationship with depression among teenagers. Journal of Psychology, 1, 15-22.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09764224.2010.11885441
doi.org/10.1080/09764224.2010.11885441
Varjas, K., Henrich, C.C., Meyers, J. (2009). Urban middle school students' perceptions of bullying, cyberbullying, and school safety. Journal of School Violence, 8 (2), 159-176.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220802074165
doi.org/10.1080/15388220802074165
Wan, S.W.I., Nik, R.N.J., Hatta, S. Marhani, M. & Shamsul, A.S. (2014). Why do young adolescents bully? Experience in Malaysian schools. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 55, 114-120.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.05.002
doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.05.002
Wong, D.S.W., Chan, H.C., & Cheng, C.H.K. (2014). Cyberbullying perpetration and victimization among adolescents in Hong Kong. Children and Youth Services Review, 36, 133-140. doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.006
Yaakub, N.F. Haron, F. Goh. C.L. (2010). Examining the efficacy of the Olweus prevention programme in reducing bullying: The Malaysian experience - Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 595-598. doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.148
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.148
Yubero, S., Navarro, R., Elche, M., Larranaga, E., & Ovejero, A. (2017). Cyberbullying victimization in higher education: An exploratory analysis of its association with social and emotional factors among Spanish students. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 439-449. doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.037
Copyright Transfer Statement for Journal
1) In signing this statement, the author(s) grant UNIMAS Publisher an exclusive license to publish their original research papers. The author(s) also grant UNIMAS Publisher permission to reproduce, recreate, translate, extract or summarize, and to distribute and display in any forms, formats, and media. The author(s) can reuse their papers in their future printed work without first requiring permission from UNIMAS Publisher, provided that the author(s) acknowledge and reference publication in the Journal.
2) For open access articles, the author(s) agree that their articles published under UNIMAS Publisher are distributed under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, for non-commercial purposes, provided the original work of the author(s) is properly cited.
3) The author(s) is/are responsible to ensure his or her or their submitted work is original and does not infringe any existing copyright, trademark, patent, statutory right, or propriety right of others. Corresponding author(s) has (have) obtained permission from all co-authors prior to submission to the journal. Upon submission of the manuscript, the author(s) agree that no similar work has been or will be submitted or published elsewhere in any language. If submitted manuscript includes materials from others, the authors have obtained the permission from the copyright owners.
4) In signing this statement, the author(s) declare(s) that the researches in which they have conducted are in compliance with the current laws of the respective country and UNIMAS Journal Publication Ethics Policy. Any experimentation or research involving human or the use of animal samples must obtain approval from Human or Animal Ethics Committee in their respective institutions. The author(s) agree and understand that UNIMAS Publisher is not responsible for any compensational claims or failure caused by the author(s) in fulfilling the above-mentioned requirements. The author(s) must accept the responsibility for releasing their materials upon request by Chief Editor or UNIMAS Publisher.
5) The author(s) should have participated sufficiently in the work and ensured the appropriateness of the content of the article. The author(s) should also agree that he or she has no commercial attachments (e.g. patent or license arrangement, equity interest, consultancies, etc.) that might pose any conflict of interest with the submitted manuscript. The author(s) also agree to make any relevant materials and data available upon request by the editor or UNIMAS Publisher.
