Psychological Impact of Cyber-Bullying: Implications for School Counsellors

Authors

  • Jennifer Nordahl
  • Tanya N. Beran University of Calgary
  • Crystal J Dittrick University of Calgary

Keywords:

Bullying, Mental Health, School Counselling

Abstract

Cyber-bullying is asignificant problem for children today. This study provides evidence of the psychological impact of cyber-bullying among victimized children ages 10 to 17 years (M = 12.48, SD = 1.79) from 23 urban schools in a western province of Canada (N = 239). Students who were cyber-bullied reported high levels of anxious, externalizing, and depressed feelings/behaviours for all types of cyber-bullying they experienced, with girls reporting more severe impact than boys. Strategies are discussed for school counsellors working with youth who have been victimized through electronic means.

Author Biographies

  • Jennifer Nordahl
    Jennifer Nordahl holds a M.Sc. (School and Applied Child Psychology, University of Calgary). Currently she is working on Vancouver Island, British Columbia as a School Psychologist.
  • Tanya N. Beran, University of Calgary
    Dr. Tanya Beran is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary in Community Health Sciences. Her research focuses on bullying, technology, and children.
  • Crystal J Dittrick, University of Calgary
    Crystal Dittrick, M.A., CCC, is currently completing a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on bullying and mental health in children and youth, as well as social emotional learning and school-based intervention and prevention.

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Published

2013-07-29

Issue

Vol. 47 No. 3 (2013): Regular Issue

Section

Articles/ Articles

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.