Cyberbullying rarely occurs in isolation—it functions as an extension of school violence, say researchers
A new study of 4,200 adolescents revealed that cyberbullying rarely occurs in isolation; it almost always functions as an extension of physical and verbal aggression already present in the school environment. The study, conducted at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) in Brazil, mapped students' involvement in bullying and found that the lines between victims and perpetrators often blur…
A recent investigation involving 4,200 Brazilian adolescents has found that cyberbullying often stems from existing school violence, not occurring in isolation. The study, led by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo, reveals a strong connection between multiple forms of bullying and serious psychological distress or substance abuse among young people.
The research, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, classifies students into three categories: those with no significant involvement in bullying, those who are frequently bullied and sometimes engage in bullying but rarely cyberbullying, and the most concerning group of "victim-perpetrators" who act aggressively in both physical and digital environments.
This smallest group, making up just 6% of the sample, shows the highest rates of psychological distress and substance abuse, with 52.4% exhibiting clinically significant mental health symptoms and nearly 70% having consumed alcohol or smoked cigarettes. The study underscores the need for comprehensive school programs that address violence, mental health, and substance use prevention, recognizing that these issues are interconnected.
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