Date of Defense
Spring 3-24-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
Department
Sociology and Criminal Justice
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Gang Lee
Committee Member
Christopher Totten
Committee Member
Rebecca Petersen
Abstract
Cyberbullying is an intricate and ever-evolving form of bullying. Little is known about how cyberbullying is perpetrated at the collegiate level. Applying a General Strain Theory framework, the current study aims to assess the role of six university-related strain elements as possible predictors for cyberbullying, cybervictimization, and frequency of the two. Survey questionnaires were administered to 15 undergraduate classes at a southeastern university (N = 406). Additionally, the moderating role of internet anonymity on these relationships is addressed. Being threatened with losing or actually losing a scholarship and being placed on probation are identified as significant predictors of cybervictimization and frequency of cybervictimization. Personal academic shortcomings and being threatened with losing or actually losing a scholarship are found to be significant predictors of cyberbullying frequency. Anonymity is established as negatively associated with the frequency of cyberbullying and cybervictimization, but its effect as a moderator is limited, at most.