Statement of the Problem: Cyberbullying as the name implies is the use of cyberspace as a mechanism to bully others known or unknown to the bully. Cyberbullying has caused significant issues for those involved ranging from extreme displays of anger to suicide attempts. It has been reported that as much as eighty two percent of students have had some measure of experience with cyberbullying; as a cyberbully, as a victim or classified as both a bully and a victim. Researchers are yet to pinpoint the cause of cyberbullying and what perpetuates cybervictimization although numerous studies have investigated the relationship amongst variables such as age, gender and social psychological constructs and cyberbullying/cybervictimization. This study seeks to explore the relationship between peer and intimate partner relationships and cyberbullying/cybervictimization in the presence of anger, depression, self esteem and suicide ideation as mediating variables.
Method: A sample of 200 undergraduate students from two universities in Trinidad participated in the study. Students were asked to complete a self report survey which included demographic variables, a cyberbullying/ cyber victimization scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, an Anger/Aggression scale, a Sociability Scale (peer relationships and intimate partner) and a Suicide Ideation scale.
Data Analysis: Data were analysed using SPSS version 22 and included both descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis was used to look at the influence of peer and intimate partner relationships on cyberbullying and cybervictimization with the social psychological constructs.
Results: Preliminary results indicate that there is a negative relationship between cyberbullying/cybervictimization and peer relationships. Anger was the most influential variable when examining peer and intimate partner relationships and cyberbullying/cybervictimization.
