An examination of the primary and secondary effects of cyber-bullying: development and testing of a cyber-bullying moderator/mediator model

AN EXAMINATION OF THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EFFECTS OF CYBER-BULLYING: DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A CYBER-BULLYINGMODERATOR/MEDIATOR MODELby CRYSTAL LIN JOHNSONMay 2011 Advisor: Dr. Terry KinneyMajor: Communication StudiesDegree: Doctor of PhilosophyThis study examined cyber-bullying as a social transgression and the potentially negativeeffects it has on individuals, specifically adolescents and young adults from experiences recalledby college students. Findings established support for a moderator/mediator model, designed andtested for this study, which describes the psychological process prompted by a cyber-bullyingmessage, which is moderated as well as mediated by several factors. This study examined thetheoretical and practical value of the model in terms of being able to reflect the psychologicalprocess that individuals move through when exposed to a cyber-bullying message, and its abilityto account for both primary and secondary effects of bullying. To accomplish these goals, apacket of standardized measurement tools were used and data were quantitatively analyzed.Findings support that adolescents and young adults who find themselves to be a target of a cyber-bullying message find that message to be negative and experience negative effects. Findingsfrom this study add support to current cyber-bullying research and remind readers of thecritically important nature of cyber-bullying in our society today.