Cyber bullying and its relationship with self esteem and quality of friendships amongst adolescent females in Ireland

Abstract

Research has indicated there is a relationship between bullying and levels of self esteem (O’Moore and Kirkham 2001) and quality of friendship (Flanagan et al 2008). O’Moore and Minton (2009) detailed the seriousness of cyber bullying in Ireland. Patchin and Hinduja (2010) found significantly lower levels of self esteem in victims of cyber bullying. Further examinations of these variables in relation to cyber bullying amongst adolescent females has been recommended. Whilst this was largely a between subject quantitative cross sectional study, containing a sample of 91 girls aged between 12 – 17 years, qualitative responses to some of the questions on the Cyber Bullying Questionnaire (Smith et al, 2006) obliged the researcher to examine the key themes that emerged. Two other psychological constructs were measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (1965) and the McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Respondent’s Affection (MFQ-RA1999).

Results indicated a weak relationship between cyber bully victims and selfesteem. Quality of Friendship showed some relationship with bully victimization, although the finding was not significant for the adolescents in this study. Implications of the findings of this research are discussed and interpreted in line with previous research. Author keywords: cyber bullying, self esteem, female