Cyberbullying linked to post traumatic stress for victims and perpetrators

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/b-clt061920.php


News Release 23-Jun-2020
BMJ


Cyberbullying--bullying online rather than face to face--is linked to various types of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, both for victims and perpetrators, suggests the first study of its kind, published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

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Further analysis indicated that cyber victims displayed significantly more PTSD symptoms than did cyberbullies, and they experienced more intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviours.

Cyberbullies also had significantly more PTSD symptoms than teens who weren't involved in any form of bullying.

This is an observational study, so can't establish cause and effect. It also relied on subjective reports, and it didn't include a full clinical assessment of suspected PTSD symptoms.

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