Impact of Anonymity and Strength Differential on Cyber Bullying Behaviors Among Young Adults

Abstract

The present study attempted to investigate the impact of anonymity and strength differential on cyber bullying behaviours and mediating role of cyber bullying attitudes among young adults. It was also intended to detennine the role of cyber bullying related demographics in relation to variables of the study. The sample comprised of300 young adults of different universities located in Islamabad and Rawalpindi including males and females with age ranging from 18 to 25 years whom were accessed by convenient sampling technique. Anonymity and Strength Differential Scale (ASD) and Positive Attitudes Toward Cyberbullying Questionnaire (PACQ) (Barlett & Gentile, 201 2) and Cyber Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire (Ybarra, Diener-West, & Leaf, 2007) were used in present study to measure anonymity perception, irrelevance of strength differential, positive cyber bullying attitudes, cyber bullying behaviour among young adults at higher education institutions. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the reliabilities of included scales and to test the comprehensiveness oftesting instruments on our current target population. Person Product Moment correlation, ANOV A, t-test and regression along with mediation analysis were carried out to detennine that purposed relationships. Results showed that strength differential was positively associated with anonymity constructs and cyber bullying with victimization respectively among young adults. It was concluded that supportive attitudes towards online bullying mediates the relationship between anonymity and cyber bullying perpetration as well as strength differential and cyber bullying perpetration. Anonymity proved to be much stronger predictor of cyberbullying engagement as compare strength differential. Findings also revealed significant gender difference, with male students sho.wing more engagement in cyber bullying behaviour as well as being more victimized as compare to female students. This study not only enriches understanding of detenninants of cyber-bullying behavior by university students but also provides valuable insights to educators, government officials, and parents. Limitations and suggestions along with present study'S implication were also discussed.