What the study found
The study found that the Cyberbullying Coping Scale is supported by a six-factor structure for adolescents and young adults. The findings also indicate that coping with cyberbullying involves cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, and digital dimensions.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the scale offers a psychometrically supported tool for assessing coping strategies among adolescents and young adults. The findings indicate that this can help show the complexity of how coping responses relate to well-being in digital contexts.
What the researchers tested
The researchers developed and validated a multidimensional Cyberbullying Coping Scale using a two-stage design with independent samples. They ran exploratory factor analysis with 789 participants and confirmatory factor analysis with 1,153 participants, then examined reliability and correlations with flourishing and digital well-being.
What worked and what didn't
The six-factor model showed acceptable to good fit, and the overall scale had high internal consistency. The subscales showed moderate to high reliability, ranging from α = .54 to .82, and adaptive coping strategies were positively associated with flourishing and digital well-being. Reactive/risky coping strategies were negatively associated with digital well-being but were also positively associated with flourishing, which the authors say should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The abstract notes that the positive link between reactive/risky coping and flourishing may reflect short-term or role-dependent perceptions of empowerment rather than a consistently adaptive outcome. Other limitations are not described in the available summary.
Key points
- The scale was supported by a six-factor model.
- The six factors were seeking social support, reactive/risky behaviours, preventive digital awareness, social and moral engagement, cognitive reappraisal, and emotional regulation.
- Overall internal consistency was high (α > .85).
- Adaptive coping strategies were positively associated with flourishing and digital well-being.
- Reactive/risky coping strategies were negatively associated with digital well-being but positively associated with flourishing.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Cyberbullying coping is multidimensional in adolescents and young adults
- Authors:
- Elif Öznur Tokgöz, Metin Kocatürk, Hüseyin Serin
- Institutions:
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Türksat (Turkey)
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-25
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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