Influence of Cyberbullying Involvement on Psychological Distress among in-School Adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Even though adolescents in Nigeria are increasingly using technology and internet-based devices, there is still a severe lack of research on cyberbullying and its possible effects on Nigerian students. Aim of the study: This study investigates the prevalence of cyberbullying involvement and its predictive influence on psychological distress (PD) among in-school adolescents in Ogun State. The Online Disinhibition Theory explains how the anonymous and minimally supervised nature of cyberspace reduces inhibition and encourages cyberbullying behaviors, while the General Strain Theory explains how experiences of cyberbullying victimization may lead to psychological distress and deviant coping behaviors such as cyberbullying perpetration. Design of the Study: Using a cross-sectional research design, Participants were selected from two public and two private secondary schools located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, South-western Nigerian. A total of 355 participants (118 male and 237 female) whose ages ranged from 13 to 19 years (mean age 15.18±1.35) were sampled using a multi-stage procedure. Tools of the Study: Participants responded to the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey (CBOAS) and General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. Results: A high prevalence of cyberbullying involvement was found. The findings showed that 33.2%, 37.5%, and 13.0% of the participants reporting mild, moderate, and severe levels, respectively. 13.0% of severe psychological distress was also reported. A significant relationship between cyberbullying involvement and psychological distress (r = .13, p < 0.05) was also found. Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration independently and jointly predicted psychological distress (F = 3.56, p < 0.05, R² = .02). Finally, significant gender influence on psychological distress was found (t (353) = 9.07, p < .01). Conclusion & Recommendations: Authors conclude that that there is a high prevalence of PD among Nigerian in-school adolescents. In addition, that cyberbullying involvement is strongly linked with PD. Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for the provision of psychological services and personnel in all secondary schools in Ogun State to reduce the prevalence of cyberbullying and its related negative consequences, as cyberbullying involvement was found to be prevalent among secondary school students in Ogun State. Further study on cyberbullying involvement and PD is also recommended.