The Relationship Between Family’s Affective Functions and Cyberbullying in Adolescents

Abstract

Excessive use of the internet in adolescents can raise the risk of violence in cyberspace (cyberbullying). The impact of cyberbullying can range from depression to suicide and can reduce achievement levels at school. Adolescents who commit cyberbullying are caused by a lack of communication and affection in the family. Giving high affection and good communication encourages adolescents to behave positively and avoid cyberbullying behaviors. This study aims to identify the relationship between a family's affective function and cyberbullying behavior in adolescents. This study used a cross-sectional research approach. It utilized a total sampling technique with a total sample of 92 respondents who committed cyberbullying. The instruments used in this study included respondent characteristics, family characteristics, cyberbullying behavior questionnaire, and family's affective function questionnaire. The results showed that the level of cyberbullying of respondents, which was in the low category, was 84 respondents (91.30%), while the family's affective function, which was in the high category, was 70 respondents (76.10%). Spearman Rho analysis obtained p-value 0.818 (p> 0.05). Based on the result of this study, it can be concluded that there is no relationship between the family's affective function and cyberbullying behavior in adolescents. It means that we have to respect another function family too. Adolescents and families are advised to spend more time together to improve communication and avoid cyberbullying behavior.