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.