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Cited by 318Bullying, Victimization, and AggressionImpact of Technology on AdolescentsHate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection

Cyberbullying Prevalence Among US Middle and High School–Aged Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment

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Selkie, Ellen M., Fales, Jessica L., Moreno, Megan A.·2016·Journal of Adolescent Health
DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.026PMC PMC4724486
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Abstract

Purpose Cyberbullying (CB) has established links to physical and mental health problems including depression, suicidality, substance use, and somatic symptoms. Quality reporting of CB prevalence is essential to guide evidence-based policy and prevention priorities. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate study quality and reported prevalence among CB research studies conducted in populations of US adolescents of middle and high school age.Methods Searches of peer-reviewed literature published through June 2015 for "CB" and related terms were conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science. Included manuscripts reported CB prevalence in general populations of US adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Using a review tool based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement, reviewers independently scored study quality on study methods, results reporting, and reported prevalence.Results Search results yielded 1,447 manuscripts; 81 manuscripts representing 58 unique studies were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Quality scores ranged between 12 and 37 total points of a possible 42 points (mean = 26.7, standard deviation = 4.6). Prevalence rates of CB ranged as follows: Perpetration, 1%-41%; victimization, 3%-72%; and overlapping perpetration and victimization, 2.3%-16.7%.Conclusions Literature on CB in US middle and high school-aged students is robust in quantity but inconsistent in quality and reported prevalence. Consistent definitions and evidence-based measurement tools are needed.

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Authors
Selkie, E. M., Fales, J. L., & Moreno, M. A.
Affiliations
  • Seattle Children's Hospital (US)
  • Washington State University Vancouver (US)
Corresponding author
Selkie, Ellen M.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-02
Volume
58
Issue
2
Pages
125-133
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.09.026
PMC
PMC4724486
OpenAlex
W2264177151
Cited by
318
References
98
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 13
FWCI
4.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (2t32mh020021-26)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (T-32MH020021, 2T32MH020021-16)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection
Keywords
cyberbullying, prevalence, adolescents, junior high school students, high school students, cyberbullying perpetration, cyber victimization, study quality, reporting quality
MeSH terms
Humans, Students, United States, Prevalence, Crime Victims, Internet, Bullying, Observational Studies as Topic

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