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Cited by 6Sexual Assault and Victimization StudiesStalking, Cyberstalking, and HarassmentBullying, Victimization, and Aggression

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Adolescent Roles and Reactions to Online Sexual Harassment: Insights from a Croatian deSHAME Study

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Ramljak, Tomislav, Vejmelka, Lucija, Matković, Roberta·2025·Psychology International
DOI 10.3390/psycholint7010026
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Abstract

Background. This study examines the behavioral responses of adolescents to online sexual harassment based on their roles as victims, perpetrators, both, or neutral participants. Methods. Data from a national sample of Croatian high school students (N = 2016) were used to investigate the influence of these roles on reaction patterns. This study explores coping strategies among students involved in online sexual harassment as victims, perpetrators, or both. Results. Students with dual roles rarely sought help from parents, teachers, or helplines, while perpetrators avoided confiding in friends or siblings. Conversely, uninvolved students were most likely to seek support from these sources. Victims often confided in friends and responded by blocking, confronting, deleting content, or avoiding the harasser. Dual-role students commonly mirrored the harassment they experienced, suggesting a cycle of retaliation and blurred victim–perpetrator boundaries. Interestingly, no significant role-based differences were found for passive responses like ignoring harassment or reporting on social media platforms. Conclusion. These results underline the critical need for targeted interventions to foster digital resilience and tailor support mechanisms based on adolescents’ experiences and roles in online interactions. This research contributes to the understanding of role-specific behavioral dynamics in the digital sphere, offering actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals to enhance online safety and support systems for youth.

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Metadata

Authors
Ramljak, T., Vejmelka, L., & Matković, R.
Affiliations
  • Center for Missing and Exploited Children Croatia, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
  • University of Zagreb (HR)
  • Mental Health Department, Public Health Institute of Split Damatia County, 21000 Split, Croatia
Corresponding author
Vejmelka, Lucija
ORCID
Venue
Psychology International
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-03-14
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
26
ISSN
2813-9844 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/psycholint7010026
OpenAlex
W4408458258
Cited by
6
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3
FWCI
10.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychology International (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Croatian safer internet Center
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
Keywords
online sexual harassment, adolescents, coping strategies, help-seeking, retaliation, digital resilience, online safety, high school students, Croatian adolescents

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Adolescent Roles and Reactions to Online Sexual Harassment: Insights from a Croatian deSHAME Study. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.3390/psycholint7010026
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Ramljak, T., Vejmelka, L., & Matković, R. (2025). Adolescent Roles and Reactions to Online Sexual Harassment: Insights from a Croatian deSHAME Study. Psychology International. https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7010026