Variables de personalidad, sociodemográficas y consumo de sustancias en víctimas de Cyberbullying

Abstract

Cyberbullying among children and adolescents is a major public health concern. However, the research on risk factors associated with cybervictimization, and its associations with health problems such as substance use is heterogeneous. Personality traits could play an important role in the genesis of cybervictimization and substance use. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of cybervictimization with sociodemographic factors, personality traits, use of social networks, and substance use. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 765 secondary students from 16 secondary schools in Majorca Island aged between 14 and 16 years. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics; tobacco and alcohol consumption; and use of social networks. Cybervictimization was measured by the Garaigordobil Cybervictimization Scale. BFQ-NA (Big Five Questionnaire) was used to assess personality traits. Several logistic regression models were fitted controlled for study variables to determine the associations and interactions among factors. The results indicate that a total of 305 students (39,9%) reported cybervictimization in the past year. Girls were more likely to be cyberbullied than boys (43.1% vs. 35.7%; p=0.04). Cybervictims had a greater emotional instability (0.16 vs. -0.23; p<0.01) and extraversion (0.11 vs. -0.09; p<0.01), and were less conscientious (-0.001 vs. 0.20; p<0.01). Moreover, spent more time in social networking sites than non-victims (6h 30 min vs. 5h 16 min; p<0.01). Multivariable Analysis indicated that social networking time was not significantly associated with cybervictimization (OR = 1.11; 95% IC = 0.938–1.311; p=0.23), after controlling for personality traits. However, personality traits remained significantly associated with cybervictim. Cybervictims had a significantly greater monthly alcohol (OR = 1.99; 95% IC = 1.47–2.70; p<0.01), and tobacco (OR = 2.55; 95% IC = 1.28–5.05; p<0.01) consumption than non-cybervictims students. The logistic regression model controlling for sociodemographic variables and personality traits also showed a greater risk of cybervictimization among alcohol users (OR = 1.51; 95% IC = 1.05–2.15; p=0.03). Our findings indicate that cybervictimization is a frequent and relevant problem among adolescents in Majorca Island that is associated with other risk behaviors, such as substance use. Our study suggests the existence of underlying common personality factors for cybervictimization and substance use. Interventions focused on coping skills and improving social behaviors could be a way to reduce cyberbullying and substance use among young people.