Cyberbullying victimization and sexual identity: psychological and behavioral outcomes among college students

By applying general strain theory, the current study was designed to examine the influence of cyberbullying victimization on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes of sexual minority college students. Little research has examined the role of cyberbullying victimization in understanding its influence on depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts/attempts among sexual minority college students. Using online survey research, data were collected for 317 college students ages 18 to 24 + years (26.2% homosexual and 73.8% heterosexual) from two universities in the Midwest and the South-Central regions of the United States. Structural equation modeling indicated that sexual minority status was related to increased risk for higher levels of depression but not levels of substance abuse or suicidal thoughts/behaviors. Also, sexual minority students who suffer cyberbullying victimization are more likely to be at risk for depression and substance use. These findings have implications for educators and administrators working to reduce psychosocial and behavioral outcomes among sexual minority college students who have been victims of cyberbullying.