Role of escapism and loneliness in the association between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation among Hong Kong adults

Abstract

In the present study, the role of internet escapism and loneliness in the association between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation among 1045 Hong Kong adults (aged 18 to 60) were examined. The mediating effects of loneliness and internet escapism on the established association were investigated. Telephone surveys were conducted using the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system to obtain participants’ responses on various scales tapping on the targeted constructs. Respondents’ were accessed for the presence of any cyberbullying victimization experiences in the preceding 30 days, loneliness using a three-item scale, internet escapism using a three-item scale, and suicidal ideation using the last item from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results revealed a significant total effect of cyberbullying victimization on suicidal ideation. The significant specific indirect effect through loneliness only and the specific indirect effect through internet escapism only were significant, reflecting that loneliness alone and internet escapism alone mediated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation. Also, the specific indirect effect with the serial multiple mediation through both loneliness and internet escapism was significant, which supported that loneliness and internet escapism were serial mediators of the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation. We discussed our results with regards to findings from studies of cyberbullying and suicide, important implications, limitations, and the need for future studies.