Cyber Bullying And Cyber Victimization In Adolescents With Anxiety Disorders: A Controlled Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare adolescents with anxiety disorders (AD) and healthy controls in terms of cyber bullying, cyber victimization and sensivity to cyber victimization.Materials and Methods: This cross - sectional study was performed in Selcuk University Medical Faculty Hospital. The sample of the study was consisted of 28 adolescents with AD and 39 healthy controls. Sociodemographic data form, Cyber Bullying Scale, Cyber Victim Sensitivity Scale, Cyber Victimhood Scale and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale - Child Version were applied to all participants.Results: In our study, the anxiety and depression scores of the AD group were significantly higher than the control group. When the two groups were compared in terms of cyber situations, it was found that cyber victimization scores were significantly higher in the AD group. There was a positive correlation between anxiety and depression scores and cyber victimization scores.Conclusion: Adolescents with AD experienced more cyber victimization, and as the symptoms of anxiety and depression increased, the severity of cyber victimization increased. It was considered as a holistic approach to assess the situation of cyber victimization which may contribute positively to the diagnosis and treatment in the follow-up of anxiety disorders frequently seen during adolescence.