Subjective well-being among victimized university students: comparison between cyber dating abuse and bullying victimization

B V�llora, S Yubero, R Navarro�- Information Technology & People, 2021 - emerald.com
Information Technology & People, 2021emerald.com
Purpose Previous research has documented a negative association between subjective well-
being and different forms of victimization. The present study aims to examine differences in
well-being among university student victims of cyber dating abuse and bullying after
controlling for acceptance of dating violence. Design/methodology This a cross-sectional
study involving 1,657 Spanish university students (62.1% females, 37.1% males) using a
quantitative approach. Findings The multiple regression analysis results showed that the�…
Purpose
Previous research has documented a negative association between subjective well-being and different forms of victimization. The present study aims to examine differences in well-being among university student victims of cyber dating abuse and bullying after controlling for acceptance of dating violence.
Design/methodology
This a cross-sectional study involving 1,657 Spanish university students (62.1% females, 37.1% males) using a quantitative approach.
Findings
The multiple regression analysis results showed that the university students who reported low bullying victimization and low acceptance of dating violence also reported higher emotional, social and psychological well-being, although the association between bullying and well-being was weak. No relationship was found between cyber dating abuse victimization and the well-being dimensions examined (emotional, social and psychological). Indeed, the participants not involved in any form of abuse and the cyber dating abuse victims presented the highest level of emotional, social and psychological well-being compared to the bullying victims and the combined victims.
Practical implications
Prevention and intervention programs need to specifically address bullying and cyber dating abusive in university, with a special focus on normative beliefs about both types of victimization and offering different sources of support to overcome negative consequences on mental health.
Originality/value
This paper analyzes the subjective well-being correlates simultaneously in victims of cyber dating abuse and bullying among university students without assuming that every form of victimization has the same mental health outcomes.
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