The Role of Cyber and Face-to-Face Verbal Bullying on Adolescent Victims
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent verbal bullying across
communication media (e.g., face-to-face [F2F], cyber, both). Media Richness Theory
(MRT; Daft & Lengel, 1984; 1986) and hyperpersonal communication (Walther, 1996)
are the guiding theories in this study. Results suggested three of the four emotional
outcomes [happiness, self-esteem, and peer satisfaction] were not significantly
different across verbal bullying media, while the fourth emotional outcome [relational
victimization] was significantly different. Results also suggested differences in
frequency of bullying communication types between bullying media. There was a
significant difference in the frequency of bullying type and grade level; however, there
were no significant differences in the frequency of bullying medium based upon
biological sex. These results indicate a bullied victim is most affected when the verbal
bullying occurs though multiple mediums. Directions for future research are also
offered.