Implications of cyberbullying in major depressive symptoms development in young people between 15 and 29 years of age in Chile

Abstract

The use of digital means of communication and socialization among young people brings with it new stressors, risks, and forms of aggression, such as cyberbullying. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between cyberbullying and major depressive symptoms in young Chileans between 15 and 29 years. Methods: Survey through the StatKnows platform. Sampling was probabilistic and stratified with allocation proportional to the size of biphasic selection. The sample and the data were accessed virtually, respecting the bioethical standards of research with humans. Results: At all ages studied, the probability of experiencing depressive symptoms increases as levels of cyber aggression do, especially in the group between 19 and 24 years. Conclusions: The results reflect various factors of emerging adulthood that make this group more vulnerable, emphasizing the importance of studying the phenomenon at non-school ages since this form of aggression is not exclusive to adolescence, and neither are its effects on mental health.