The EXAMINATION OF OSTRACISM AND CYBERBULLYING IN ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS

The Ostracism and Cyberbullying in Adolescents

Abstract

aim of the study was to evaluate ostracism and cyberbullying experiences of adolescents and analyze the relation between them. The study was conducted in descriptive and cross-sectional type. The study was conducted at a university with 616 students under the age of 18 who agreed to add the research. Univariate analysis of the predictors of Ostracism Experience Scale for Adolescents (OES-A) and Cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS-A) scores was performed by Kruskal-Wallis test. The analysis of factors associated with high OES-A and BCS- A scores were studied by Chi-square or Fisher exact tests. 616 adolescents participated the study and 69.2% were female. Mean age was 17.75(+/- 0.44). The median score of BCS-A was 27.0(24- 65) and 50.3% of the participants had high BCS-A scores. The median OES-A score was 17.0(11-47) and 58.4% had high OES-A scores. The level of cyberbullying and ostracism of the students participating in the study was found to be high, and a positive significant relationship was found between both concepts. Conferences, panels and similar events should be organized for students to use technology correctly and in a suitable time. Medico-Social units should be established where university students can receive psychosocial support, especially for the group that may be at risk for ostracism and cyberbullying. It is also important for educators to know the risks arising from communication in the virtual environment and to provide support and counseling to risk groups in order to cope with these events.