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Suicide is a major public health problem worldwide. As a representative of the problem, the Global Health Observatory (GHO) data reveals that approximately 800,000 people commit suicide globally each year (WHO, 2014). A global study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares suicide as the second leading cause of death among the age group of 15-29 years old (WHO, 2012). Moreover, the rates of suicidal ideation are 20% higher than the rates for suicidal attempt or completed suicide (WHO, 2012). Suicides have been reported to occur frequently in the developing countries, such as Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nepal, Burundi, and India (WHO, 2012). These countries account for more than 90% of the world‟s suicide by children and youth; overall contributing to over 75% of the suicidal deaths globally (WHO, 2012). India stands among the top 20 countries of the world having the highest suicidal rates (WHO, 2012). The statistics reveal that more than 100,000 people committed suicide every year during the period of 2004-2014 in India (National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB], 2014) with adolescents as the prime group taking recourse to the path of suicide.
There are various factors responsible for adolescent suicidal behaviour among which cyberbullying victimisation has been identified as a crucial factor (Hay & Meldrum, 2010; Hinduja & Patchin, 2010; Undheim, 2013; Rice, Petering, Rhoades, Winetrobe, Goldbach, Plant, & Kordic, 2015). Similar findings have been demonstrated by various review studies (e.g., Kowalski et al. 2014; Zych, Ortega-Ruiz, & Del Rey, 2015) that cyberbullying victimisation has a positive association with suicidal ideation among adolescents, thereby making it an issue of research interest globally (Li, 2007; Li, Smith, &Cross, 2012).
Digital revolution is neither a utopia nor a dystopia; instead, it is defined by means of its use. Ongoing revolution has brought uncountable benefits but simultaneously has opened avenues for various cybercrimes such as cyberbullying victimisation. The existing literature, considered to be in its infancy, has mostly focused on establishing definitions and measuring instruments. Whereas, research concerning outcomes of or protective factors against cyberbullying victimisation is highly sparse such that no studies have investigated the role of coping in relation to cyberbullying victimisation and suicidal ideation.
Concerning this, in her Master’s thesis, Sanna Mir, under the supervision of Dr Ruhaya Hussin and Dr Nor Diana Mohd. Mahudin, has explored these variables by using a mixed method design. She investigates quantitatively (1) the relationship between cyberbullying victimisation and suicidal ideation; (2) the moderating role of coping in the afore-mentioned relationship; and qualitatively (3) the relationship between cyberbullying victimisation and suicidal ideation; as well as (4) the various coping strategies used in response to cyberbullying victimisation. Specifically, her study involved a cross-sectional survey with a sample of 296 participants resulting in data which was analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient, hierarchical multiple regression, and simple slopes test.
Equally, two focused-group interviews were conducted involving a sample of 12 participants where data was analysed through thematic analysis. The quantitative results revealed a significant positive correlation between cyberbullying victimisation and suicidal ideation. Moreover, coping strategies (such as close support, retaliation, active ignoring, helplessness or self-blame, and technical coping) moderated the afore-mentioned relationship. These results were supplemented by qualitative findings which also reported themes depicting links between cyberbullying victimisation and suicidal ideation, and data emerged with following coping strategies used in response to cyberbullying victimisation: distal advice, close support, retaliation, assertiveness, active ignoring, helplessness/self-blame, and technical coping. The present study has implications for multiple stakeholders, such as education providers, health care providers, general masses, and researchers.
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About the Authors:
Ruhaya Hussin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Her full profile can be found at
Sanna Mir was a Master's thesis student at Department of Psychology at the International Islamic University Malaysia, and she graduated in 2018.