Introduction: The Study of Cyberbullying and Depression
In the article “Prevalence and Trends of Depression Among Cyberbullied Adolescents – Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2011 – 2019”, Nicholas et al. (2023) analyzed information from a survey called Youth Risk Behavior Survey for the years 2011-2019 which was conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Nicholas et al. utilized the survey to identify how the occurrence of depression differs in those who were cyberbullied in general and for the different genders and races that were cyberbullied (Nicholas et al., p. 48). Additionally, they also used the survey to examine the differences in depression trends based on one’s gender and race/ethnicity (Nicholas et al., p. 48). Nicholas et al. claim that from Agnew’s General Strain Theory, it can be concluded that depression is essentially a byproduct of cyberbullying (Nicholas et al., p. 47). In Agnew’s General Strain Theory strains exist in an individual’s life which results in that individual acting in response to those strains (Nicholas et al., p. 47). Additionally, depression has the potential to result in cyberbullying given that depression is a result of another factor (Nicholas et al., p. 48).
Data and Results
The survey analyzed in the article was conducted on high school students in various types of high schools all around the United States excluding any U.S. territories. The students were asked to respond to a series of questions regarding gender, race, grade, cyberbullying, and depression. The data from the survey was arranged into a linear format using time and percentage as the x and y axes respectively. From the results of the survey, it can be concluded that depression occurs higher in the total number of adolescents compared to the adolescents who weren’t bullied, higher for females compared to males who were cyberbullied, and higher for Hispanics vs blacks who were cyberbullied (Nicholas et al., p. 53). Although not definitive, the results provided by the survey provides some support for the authors’ claim that cyberbullying can result in depression. The high occurrence of depression in adolescents who were cyberbullied has shifted the occurrence of depression in the total number of adolescents up.
A Social Science View
The study conducted in the article touched on various social science disciplines such as psychology, criminology, and sociology by studying the effect of cyberbullying, a cybercrime, to adolescents and their mental health. In conducting their research, the authors kept in mind various principles of science such as relativism, determinism, objectivism, ethical neutrality, and parsimony. Relativism and determinism can be seen in the study when looking at the relationship between cyberbullying and depression. Cyberbullying is regarded as a preceding event to depression. By including gender and race, the study can be seen as objective and ethically neutral. By keeping in mind parsimony and the goal of the study as simply to identify the trends and relationship between cyberbullying and depression, the authors can analyze the study without any bias.
Cyberbullying has a significant effect on an individual’s esteem needs and belongingness and love needs which are part of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Cyberbullying can negatively affect an individual’s intimate relationships as well as other relationships in society. As a result of the needs not being attained, depression can be seen as a psychological consequence of victimization in this case specifically cyber victimization. The authors’ hypotheses on the depression leading to cyberbullying relate to a psychodynamic theory of cyber offending. The psychodynamic theory suggests early life experiences influence behavior. In this case regarding adolescents, depression is the early life experience that may influence them to engage in cyberbullying.
Societal Effects of the Study
The analysis of the trends and relationship between cyberbullying and depression can be used to target certain groups for intervention programs (Nicholas et al., p, 46). Through this study, government and non-profit organizations will know which groups to prioritize to aid those adolescents with depression. With limited funding, it is greatly beneficial to understand which groups require mental health programs more. The study’s focus on both gender and race highlights the mental health of minority groups who may not have as much mental health support. Additionally, it highlights a cybercrime that is committed against adolescents. Cybercrime is a highly important topic today however, cyberbullying is just one small fraction that may be overlooked in favor of other cybercrimes. This study will encourage further studies to be done on the relationship between cyberbullying and depression.
Conclusion
Cybercrimes and mental health are two very relevant topics today. The analysis of cyberbullying and depression in the article not only highlights and brings insight into the two topics but also brings the focus into adolescents. Adolescents are known to have a high use of cyber technology as well as a vulnerable mental state. They are a group that is heavily affected by cyberbullying. Adolescents will play a significant part in the future and by bringing issues they may face to the forefront, we as a society can provide various care and measures that will ensure a better future.
References
Nicholson, J., Marcum, C., & Higgins, G. (2023). Prevalence and Trends of Depression Among Cyberbullied Adolescents – Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2011 – 2019. International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence and Cybercrime, 6(1), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.52306/znrr2381