Loneliness, parent-child communication, and involvement in cyberbullying behaviors in adolescents and young adults

Abstract

The Internet is used as a tool to overcome the feeling of loneliness, allowing communication with others, but it can also be a risky context for the development of young people. This study aims to explore the relationship between loneliness, parent-child communication, and cyber-victimization. The study was carried out with a sample of 401 adolescents and young adults, aged between 15 and 24 years. The Loneliness Scale (UCLA), the Parenting Communication Assessment Scale (COMPA-A) and the Cybervictimization Questionnaire (CYVIC) were used for data collection. The results indicate an overall prevalence of 78.3% was victim of at least one cyberbullying behavior. They suggest that loneliness is positively correlated with cybervictimization and, the presence of negative correlations with a positive communication pattern with parents. Finally, it was found that cybervictimization and a negative communication pattern positively predict loneliness and the expression of affection and emotional support of the mother figure negatively predict loneliness. These results indicate that it is necessary to consider the psychological consequences of cyberbullying, and to provide parenting styles that favor parent-child communication aimed at the problematic use of the Internet.