First Advisor

Hess, Robyn S.

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

5-1-2015

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, School Psychology, School Psychology Student Work

Embargo Date

9-25-2016

Abstract

This dissertation examined the relationship between sexual and gender minority adolescents’ and heterosexual adolescents’ frequency of cyberbullying victimization and their reported levels of depression and anxiety. A total of 93 sexual and gender minority adolescents and 113 heterosexual adolescents participated. Results indicated sexual and gender minority participants experienced significantly more victimization than heterosexual participants. Sexual and gender minority participants reported significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety. Participants with the highest levels of victimization reported experiencing significantly higher levels of depression than participants with medium amounts of victimization. When controlling for frequency of victimization, sexual and gender minority and heterosexual participants did not have significantly different levels of depression and anxiety. There was no significant difference on depression and anxiety between sexual and gender minority participants who disclosed their sexual orientation to family and friends and those who had not. Implications for school practice and future research are provided. These implications include discussions of school-based mental health interventions at the universal level and cyberbullying prevention programs for all youth, regardless of sexual orientation.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

Cyberbullying; Internet and teenagers; Sexual orientation; Depression in adolescence

Extent

169 pages

Local Identifiers

Byrd_unco_0161D_10402

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

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