Understanding and measuring coping with cyberbullying in adolescents: exploratory factor analysis of the brief coping orientation to problems experienced inventory

Abstract

Research examining coping with cyberbullying has resulted in mixed findings, however, it is known that unproductive forms of coping can lead to mental health concerns in young people. The Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE) has shown mixed results regarding the factorisation of coping styles. The researchers aimed to use this scale with a sample of adolescents to determine coping intentions if cyberbullied, and the relationship between these coping styles and mental health. The Brief COPE scale was adapted for use in this study with a sample of 229 adolescents (age 12–17 years) if hypothetically involved in cyberbullying. Participants were recruited form eight secondary schools in South Australia, and completed an online survey. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis on the Brief COPE with this sample revealed seven distinct sub-constructs of coping with adequate psychometric properties. Results regarding cyberbullying involvement and coping intentions revealed that whilst young people intended to cope actively, the more young people were cybervictimised or cyberbullied others the less likely they were to do so. Young people who were more likely to use unproductive coping strategies were also more likely to have higher scores of depression, anxiety and stress. The Brief COPE shows promise as an adequate measure of coping with cyberbullying. Findings around preferred coping styles, and their impacts on mental health and wellbeing, could aid the development of education programs in schools, as well as informing practitioners around the coping intentions of young people if involved in cyberbullying.