Relationship between cyberbullying and mental health of teenage victims in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Cyberbullying the act of using digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or demean others, has become an issue of growing concern. The development of digital technology use in Saudi Arabia demands an awareness of the impact of cyberbullying and mental health among teenaged victims in KSA.

Aims:

The purpose is to find the prevalence of cyberbullying and its forms as well as effect on teenager’s mental health in KSA.

Methodology:

The research design is a cross-sectional survey conducted in educational settings to understand the types of cyberbullying among teenagers and affects in mental health. Data collection was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed to participants through online platforms as well as hard copy for those who cannot access digital media.

Statistical Analysis:

Completed surveys were checked for completeness and data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations as appropriate based on the type and distribution of variables. Associations were tested using appropriate statistical tests. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Data revealed that 45% of teenagers had encountered cyberbullying with serious psychological effects such as stress and depression, anxiety and there is a difference in cyberbullying between urban-rural areas of residence and gender.

Conclusions:

The overall results demonstrate that there is an urgent need in KSA for custom-guided educational and mental health support for all teenagers at home as well as in educational institutions to better respond to cyberbullying.

Introduction

Cyberbullying defined as the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature,[1] particularly with regards to its implications on the wellbeing of adolescents has emerged as a critical social issue. The effects of cyberbullying in KSA where advancement has been experienced and fast in technology is also becoming a concern nowadays because of its repercussions to adolescents. The purpose of this paper is to study the link between cyberbullying and the psychological state of adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

In recent years the swift rise of digital technology has transformed communication and interaction among teenagers. This transformation is evident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) about 93% of the population are active internet users.[2] The prevalence of cyberbullying and its potential impact on mental health can be significant among teenagers. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress have been linked to experiences of cyberbullying.[3] Most of the research on cyberbullying and mental health has been done in Western societies, so it may not relate equally to a conservative society like Saudi Arabia

Theoretically, the study of cyberbullying intersects with various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and information technology. The Social-Ecological Model provides a theoretical framework for understanding how individual, relational, community and societal factors contribute to the risk and impact of cyberbullying. Practically, exploring the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Problem statement

In Saudi Arabia young population represents a significant portion of the society[4] understanding the nature of cyberbullying gives support teenagers a chance to design effective strategies for dealing with this phenomenon that helps them remain healthy and safe while online. However, there is a gap in understanding the specific dynamics and consequences of relationships, where cultural and social structures might influence both the incidence and impact of cyberbullying.

Literature Review

To investigate regional differences in the frequency of traditional bullying and cyberbullying as well as their combined effects on adolescents’ mental and physical health problems. Cross-sectional data from the 2014 nationally representative Health Behavior in School-Age Children Survey in 38 European countries were used, which included 188,003 adolescents (mean age 13.6 years; 50.9% female). While meta-analyses were performed to produce pooled regression coefficients, multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the effect of bullying on health outcomes. The overall prevalence of cyberbullying was 15.8%, ranging from 5.8% in Greece to 38.3% in Greenland, while the prevalence of traditional bullying was 26.9%, ranging from 8.8% in Armenia to 49.7% in Latvia. Eight in ten (8.4%) teens said they had been bullied in both directions; The incidence ranged from 2.5% in Greece to 21.0% in Greenland. Studies conducted globally have established a strong link between cyberbullying and adverse mental health outcomes. A meta-analysis by Khalaf AM et al.[5] highlighted significant associations between cyberbullying and depression among adolescents. Another study emphasized the heightened risk of suicidal ideation in victims of cyberbullying.[6] However, research specific to KSA is relatively limited. Zidi et al.[7] explored the prevalence of cyberbullying in a Saudi Arabian context, indicating a notable incidence, but the study did not delve deeply into the mental health aspects.

One of the strengths of existing literature is the diversity of methodologies used, from qualitative analyses to large-scale surveys. However, a weakness lies in the limited focus on cultural nuances, especially in regions like KSA. The debate in current literature revolves around the extent to which cultural context influences the experience and impact of cyberbullying.

There is a lack of comprehensive studies exploring the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health specifically in the Saudi Arabian context, where cultural and religious factors might play a significant role. Investigating this relationship is crucial for both theoretical understanding and practical application. Theoretically, it contributes to the broader discourse on cyberbullying in varying cultural landscapes. Practically, understanding this relationship can guide policy-makers, educators, and mental health professionals in KSA to develop targeted interventions.

Studies conducted globally have established a strong link between cyberbullying and adverse mental health outcomes. A meta-analysis by Kowalski et al.[5] highlighted significant associations between cyberbullying and depression among adolescents. Another study emphasized the heightened risk of suicidal ideation in victims of cyberbullying.[6] However, research specific to KSA is relatively limited. Zidi et al.[7] explored the prevalence of cyberbullying in a Saudi Arabian context, indicating a notable incidence, but the study did not delve deeply into the mental health aspects.

One of the strengths of existing literature is the diversity of methodologies used, from qualitative analyses to large-scale surveys. However, a weakness lies in the limited focus on cultural nuances, especially in regions like KSA. The debate in current literature revolves around the extent to which cultural context influences the experience and impact of cyberbullying.

There is a lack of comprehensive studies exploring the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health specifically in the Saudi Arabian context, where cultural and religious factors might play a significant role. Investigating this relationship is crucial for both theoretical understanding and practical application. Theoretically, it contributes to the broader discourse on cyberbullying in varying cultural landscapes. Practically, understanding this relationship can guide policy-makers, educators, and mental health professionals in KSA to develop targeted interventions.

Research questions

Based on the identified gaps, the research questions are formulated as follows:

1. What is the prevalence of cyberbullying among teenagers in KSA?

2. What are the common mental health outcomes associated with cyberbullying among these teenagers?

3. How do cultural and social factors in KSA influence the relationship between cyberbullying and mental health?

Aim and Objectives of Research

1. To estimate the prevalence of cyberbullying among teenagers in KSA.

2. To categorize and understand the various forms of cyberbullying encountered by teenagers in KSA.

3. To evaluate the mental health outcomes associated with cyberbullying among the teenagers in KSA.

4. To investigate the experiences of teenage victims in cyberbullying and their mental health impacts in different socio-demographic statuses such as gender and geographical location (urban vs rural).

Methodology

Study design

The research design is a cross-sectional survey conducted within various educational settings across KSA to understand the common type of cyberbullying among teenagers in Saudi Arabia and how it affects their mental health.

Study setting

This study is conducted in different schools across Saudi Arabia both urban and rural areas and among different groups of teenagers to ensure a diverse representation of the teenage population.

Study participants

The study participants were teenagers aged 13–19 years old who were currently enrolled in different schools in KSA.

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria for this study were teenagers who had access to the internet and were able to read and understand Arabic and English.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria for this study were teenagers who had a history of mental health disorders or were currently receiving treatment for mental health issues.

Data collection

Data collection was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to participants through online social media platforms as well as hard copy for those who can’t access digital materials. Structured questionnaires containing different sets of multiple-choice questions will help measure the common and specific cyberbullying to these students’ mental health status. It will be ascertained that the questionnaire is valid and reliable through conducting a pilot study and consulting with specialists in psychology and modern cyberbullying studies.[8] Confidentiality will be maintained by protecting the privacy of the student’s responses. Descriptive Statistical analysis such as frequencies, percentages, and frequency distribution tables were calculated based on the type and distribution of variables.

Ethical consideration

Ethical approval was obtained from the research committee in the basic science department as a part of their course in the curriculum of KSAU-HS University. Participants’ informed consent was diligently acquired before their involvement in the study. Throughout the research, confidentiality and anonymity of all participants’ data are preserved.

Results and Discussion

After data were extracted from the online survey, it was revised, coded, and fed to statistical software IBM SPSS version 22 (SPSS, Inc. Chicago, IL). Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study data of 100 respondents was included for statistical analysis.

Research question 1: Prevalence of cyberbullying

The analysis of the responses revealed that 45% of the participants had experienced cyberbullying at least once in the past year. The breakdown of types of cyberbullying experienced is shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

Types of Cyberbullying Experienced

Type of Cyberbullying	Percentage (%)
Offensive message	30%
Social exclusion	20%
Rumor spreading	25%
Impersonation	10%
Other	15%

Offensive messaging was the most common form of cyberbullying reported, followed by rumor spreading and social exclusion.

Research question 2: Common mental health outcomes

Among the teenagers who reported experiencing cyberbullying, 60% indicated increased levels of stress, 50% reported symptoms of depression, and 30% experienced anxiety. These outcomes are summarized in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Mental Health Outcomes Among Cyberbullying Victims

The graph shows that stress was the most frequently reported mental health issue, followed by depression.

Research question 3: Influence of cultural and social factors

Cross-tabulation analysis showed variations in cyberbullying experiences and mental health impacts across different demographic groups. Teenagers from urban areas reported a higher incidence of cyberbullying (70%) compared to those from rural areas (30%). Additionally, there was a notable difference in the types of cyberbullying experienced based on gender, with impersonation being more common among females (66%) than males (34%). These findings are presented in Table 2.

Table 2.

Cyberbullying Experience by Demographic Group

Demographic Group	Categories	Cyberbullying Experience (%)
Area of Residence	Urban	70%
	Rural	30%
Gender	Female	66%
	Male	34%

The table illustrates that urban teenage girls have a higher rate of being cyberbullies. These findings offer an insight into cyberbullying among adolescents in KSA, showing rates, forms, associated psychological effects as well as the role of demographic characteristics.

Discussion

The results of this study shed light on the prevalence, implications, and complexities of cyberbullying among adolescents in KSA. The wider interpretation of cyberbullying’s impacts on mental health in a cultural context, these findings are important.

Prevalence of cyberbullying

Half of teenagers faced cyberbullying within one year, the alarm is raised in KSA. The incidence is slightly over the globally recorded average from previous research studies. Like other cases, in terms of offensive messaging, cyberbullying fits global trends. Such a high occurrence reveals the necessity of increasing sensitization as well as mitigation strategies to be implemented in that area.

Mental health outcomes

This supports previous literature suggesting a high level of correspondence between cyberbullying and poor mental health consequences including tension, depression, and anxiety. This denotes an adverse effect of cyberbullying on adolescent psychological well-being and the importance of specialized mental health services designed to assist victims.

Cultural and social factors

The variation in cyberbullying experiences across different demographic groups, particularly between urban and rural areas, and among genders, highlights the influence of cultural and social factors. These findings suggest a need for context-specific approaches in addressing cyberbullying in KSA.

Conclusion

The study concludes that cyberbullying is a prevalent issue among teenagers in KSA, with great mental health implications. The variation in experiences based on demographic factors indicates the complexity of this issue in a culturally diverse society. These findings align with and extend existing literature by providing a specific focus on the Saudi Arabian context.

Strength and limitations

The study involved a large number of participants, enhancing the statistical power and reliability of the results. The survey design adopted in this study might be refined further as a case either a control or cohort study to enhance causal inferences and validity of the results. Include diverse regions within Saudi Arabia for generalizing the results.

Recommendation

1. Schools should implement comprehensive cyberbullying awareness and prevention programs.

2. Enhanced support services for cyberbullying victims, focusing on stress, depression, and anxiety.

3. Formulation of specific policies addressing cyberbullying, considering the cultural and social nuances of KSA.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.