The Role of Resilience in the Relationship Between Cyberbullying and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cyberbullying and depression, anxiety, and stress. Method: Data were collected from 591 adolescents (51.6% boys; M-age = 15.77 +/- 1.12) using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Cyberbullying Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Finding Bivariate correlations revealed a moderate positive association between cyberbullying, anxiety, and stress. Structural equation modeling indicated that higher levels of cyberbullying were significantly associated with increased anxiety and stress but not with depression. Resilience was found to partially mediate the relationship between cyberbullying and stress but did not mediate the relationships between cyberbullying and either depression or anxiety. Conclusion: These findings highlight that cyberbullying is a strong predictor of anxiety and stress, with resilience playing a key role in mitigating stress levels. Interventions focused on building resilience may offer an effective strategy for reducing stress among adolescents experiencing cyberbullying.