Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Chet Lesniak

Abstract

Cyberbullying has been a focus of research and societal concern since the advent of the internet. Both perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying experience significant adverse effects including depression, anxiety, internalizing and externalizing problems, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Despite the broad understanding of the impact of cyberbullying on mental and physical health, research has not prioritized the exploration of cyberbullying within the homeschooled population. The purpose of this quantitative survey design was to identify the characteristics and relationships between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, attachment security, and religiosity in homeschooled adolescents. Using a framework of Bowlby’s attachment theory, the Parental Attachment Questionnaire, Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey Instrument, and Centrality of Religiosity Scale were administered online through a sample of 77 homeschooled adolescents ages 12-17. Descriptive statistics and t-tests indicated that homeschooled adolescents have lower rates of both cyberbullying perpetration and victimization when compared to traditionally schooled adolescents and higher rates of attachment security and religiosity. This research contributes to positive social change by highlighting the existence and prevalence of cyberbullying in the homeschooled population as well as the protective factors of attachment security and religiosity. Homeschooled families, local communities, and governmental organizations can use this research in the implementation of policies and directives intended to diminish cyberbullying and its adverse effects among homeschoolers.

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