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Cyberbullying, help-seeking and mental health in young Australians: implications for public health

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

To examine the relationship between young Australians’ cyberbullying experiences, their help-seeking practices and associated mental well-being and social connectedness, with a view to informing national health and well-being agendas.

Methods

An online survey was administered to young people aged 12–18 years (n = 2,338), recruited across Australia in year 2 of a larger 4-year study.

Results

Youth with no experience of cyberbullying had better well-being profiles and mental health overall. Conversely, cyberbully victims, had poorer well-being and mental health and tended not to engage with online support services, in spite of being more likely to be online after 11 pm. Parents and peers were identified as key sources of help for most young people when dealing with problems.

Conclusions

Cyberbullying is a public health issue particularly for vulnerable youth whose mental health and well-being is impacted more than those not involved. As youth are spending increasing time in the 24/7 online environment, there is a need to develop initiatives that engage young people and encourage help-seeking online, whilst concomitantly building capacity of parents and peers to support their well-being.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by the national Australian Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre in partnership with young people, community, government, end users, research organizations and the digital media industry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education, University of South Australia, Magill Campus, Magill, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Barbara A. Spears, Carmel M. Taddeo, Anthony L. Daly, Alexander Stretton & Larisa T. Karklins

  2. The Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Barbara A. Spears, Carmel M. Taddeo, Anthony L. Daly, Alexander Stretton & Larisa T. Karklins

Authors
  1. Barbara A. Spears
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  2. Carmel M. Taddeo
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  3. Anthony L. Daly
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  4. Alexander Stretton
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  5. Larisa T. Karklins
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara A. Spears.

Additional information

This article is part of the special issue “Communication Technology, Media Use and the Health of Our Kids”.

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Spears, B.A., Taddeo, C.M., Daly, A.L. et al. Cyberbullying, help-seeking and mental health in young Australians: implications for public health. Int J Public Health 60, 219–226 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0642-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0642-y

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