Efficacy of Cyberbullying Prevention on Somatic Symptoms-Randomized Controlled Trial Applying a Reasoned Action Approach

J Res Adolesc. 2019 Dec;29(4):908-923. doi: 10.1111/jora.12429. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Abstract

The theory of reasoned action (ToRA) has been proposed as a framework for cyberbullying prevention design, targeting attitudes and norms. In this study effects of a long (10 weekly sessions) and a short (one day, four sessions) cyberbullying prevention program based on the ToRA were compared with a control group over 9 months. Longitudinal data from 722 students (mean age = 13.36) on cyberbullying, somatic symptoms, attitudes, and norms were analyzed within a structural equation model. Participation in the long intervention group significantly reduced cyberbullying (d = -0.584) and somatic symptoms (d = -0.316). No between-group differences emerged for attitudes and norms. Developmental trajectories and associations were found to be as suggested by ToRA in both cross-sectional and change-score analyses.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Attitude
  • Child
  • Crime Victims
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cyberbullying / prevention & control*
  • Cyberbullying / psychology
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medically Unexplained Symptoms
  • Protective Factors
  • Psychological Theory*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Students / psychology*