SAGE Journal Articles

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Journal Article 1: Lianos, H., & McGrath, A. (2017). Can the general theory of crime and general strain theory explain cyberbullying perpetration? Crime & Delinquency, 64, 674–700.

Abstract: Cyberbullying is an increasingly common characteristic of contemporary online communication. The current study surveyed 320 Internet-active young adults and found up to 80% reported engaging in this behavior at least once. In addition, the ability of the general theory of crime and general strain theory to explain cyberbullying perpetration was tested. Evidence for both theories was observed, with both low self-control and higher levels of strain related to cyberbullying perpetration. Furthermore, opportunity (operationalized as moderate and high number of hours online) interacted with low self-control to increase perpetration, and anger partially mediated the relationship between strain and cyberbullying. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Journal Article 2: Wood, F. R., & Graham, R. (2018). “Safe” and “at-risk”: Cyberbullying victimization and deviant health risk behaviors in youth. Youth & Society.

Abstract: This study explores the links between cyberbullying victimization and a set of health risk behaviors associated with juvenile delinquency (cigarette smoking, marijuana usage, alcohol usage, and sexual frequency). These links are examined with data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 9,122). Using cluster analysis, respondents are categorized into two groups: “safe” students who report on average no engagement in the behaviors measured, and “at-risk” students who report on average moderate to high levels of engagement in sexual frequency, marijuana usage, and alcohol usage. Findings suggest that cyberbullying victimization increases the odds of a student being categorized into the “at-risk” cluster. This effect holds controlling for physical bullying, a proxy measure of self-control, and demographic variables.