Understanding Adolescents’ Experiences of Cyberbullying in Jordan: Evidence from a Narrative Perspective (Preprint)

BACKGROUND: Based on its nature, cyberbullying is expected to be frequent and prevalent because of the continuity of technological advancement over time. This change results in more victims and is challenging to detect, negatively affecting their health. Given that adolescents in Jordan face a high rate of cyberbullying, it is essential to understand how this experience affects them. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore individual experiences and perspectives on cyberbullying victimization among adolescents to intervene and reduce future incidences of cyberbullying. METHODS: We based our analysis on a cross-sectional study investigating cyberbullying and its mental health consequences among 400 students aged 14-17 years from public schools in central and northern Jordan. These respondents were asked to answer 3 open-ended questions describing their experiences with cyberbullying if they experienced cybervictimization as either victims or bully-victims, resulting in 240 responses. Thematic analysis was then used to interpret patterns of shared meaning across participants' narratives related to cyberbullying experiences in cyberspace. RESULTS: A total of 3 key themes and several subthemes emerged from this study: (1) effects of cyberbullying, (2) challenges in overcoming its consequences, and (3) elements influencing the severity of cyberbullying experiences. CONCLUSIONS: The findings offer valuable insights for creating safer online environments and reducing cyberbullying's psychological and social harms through appropriate interventions.