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

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.

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