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
