A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding the Relationship between Cyberbullying Victimization and Suicidal Ideation in South Korean Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of School Connectedness

Jungup Lee, JongSerl Chun, Jinyung Kim, Jieun Lee and Serim Lee
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Jungup Lee: Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore
JongSerl Chun: Department of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
Jinyung Kim: Department of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
Jieun Lee: Department of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
Serim Lee: Department of Social Welfare, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation are both ongoing deleterious social problems in South Korea. Using the social-ecological approach, this study examined the association between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation as well as the buffering role of school connectedness in this relationship. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 7333 adolescents from the 2016 Korean Children and Youth Right Study participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wald chi-square test, bivariate correlations, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Nearly 17.7% of adolescents were cyberbullied, and 28.4% had suicidal ideation in the past 12 months. Cyberbullying victims were at an increased risk of suicidal ideation. The results also found that parental abuse, family dysfunction, and perceived peer relationship stress were positively associated with suicidal ideation, while parental support for autonomy was negatively associated with suicidal ideation. Further, school connectedness moderated on the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and adolescent suicidal ideation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that various stakeholders should consider interventions and preventive programs that address school connectedness when working with adolescents who are victims of cyberbullying and exhibit suicidal behavior.

Keywords: cyberbullying victimization; suicidal ideation; South Korean adolescents; school connectedness; social-ecological approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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