Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Protective Role of Friends in the Link between Daily Cyber Victimization and Adjustment Problems among Predominately Latino Adolescents

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current study examined whether friendship factors, including time spent with friends and perceived friendship quality, moderate daily associations between cyber victimization and adolescent adjustment (i.e., distress, anger, attendance problems, perceived school safety). The study focuses on the experiences of predominately Latino youth, as they remain an understudied group in cyber victimization research. Participants included 136 high school students (88% Latino) who completed daily checklists across five consecutive school days. Hierarchical linear modeling results revealed that time spent with friends moderated the associations between cyber victimization with distress, anger and attendance problems. For example, on days that adolescents did not spend time with their friends, there was a significant link between cyber victimization and feelings of anger. For adolescents who did spend time with their friends during the day, this association did not exist. Friendship quality only buffered the negative association between daily cyber victimization and feelings of distress.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bauman, S., Toomey, R. B., & Walker, J. L. (2013). Associations among bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide in high school students. Journal of Adolescence, 36, 341–350. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.12.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boulton, M. J., Trueman, M., Chau, C., Whitehand, C., & Amatya, K. (1999). Concurrent and longitudinal links between friendship and peer victimization: Implications for befriending interventions. Journal of Adolescence, 22, 461–466. doi:10.1006/jado.1999.0240.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., Lopez, G., & Lopez, M. H. (2016). Digital divide narrows for Latinos as more Spanish speakers and immigrants go online. Pew Research Center: Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhrmester, D. (1996). Need fulfillment, interpersonal competence, and the developmental contexts of early adolescent friendship. In W. Bukowski, A. Newcomb, & W. Hartup (Eds.), The company they keep: Friendship in childhood and adolescence (pp. 158–185). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bukowski, W. M., & Adams, R. (2005). Peer relationships and psychopathology: Markers, moderators, mediators, mechanisms, and meaning. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 3–10. doi:10.1207/215374424jccp3401_1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cuadros, O., & Berger, C. (2016). The protective role of friendship quality on the wellbeing of adolescents victimized by peers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1877–1888. doi:10.1007/s10964-016-0504-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, L. M., & Demaray, M. K. (2007). Social support as a moderator between victimization and internalizing-externalizing distress from bullying. School Psychology Review, 36(3), 383–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolev-Cohen, M., & Barak, A. (2013). Adolescents’ use of instant messaging as a means of emotional relief. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 58–63. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2012.07.016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, G. (2015). Daily cybervictimization among Latino adolescents: Links with emotional, physical and school adjustment. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 38, 39–48. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2015.04.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, G., & Juvonen, J. (2012). Methods used in cyberbullying research. In S. Bauman, D. Cross, & J. Walker (Eds.), Principles of cyberbullying research: Definitions, measures, and methodology (pp. 112–124). Routledge: New York, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espinoza, G., Gonzales, N. A., & Fuligni, A. J. (2013). Daily school peer victimization experiences among Mexican-American adolescents: Associations with psychosocial, physical and school adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 1775–1788. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9874-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpatrick, S., & Bussey, K. (2014). The role of perceived friendship self-efficacy as a protective factor against the negative effects of social victimization. Social Development, 23, 41–60. doi:10.1111/sode.12032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gore, S., & Aseltine, R. H. (2003). Race and ethnic differences in depressed mood following the transition from high school. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44, 370–389. doi:10.2307/1519785.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, M. T., Siegel, J. M., & Leitch, C. J. (1983). The nature and importance of attachment relationships to parents and peers during adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 12(5), 373–386. doi:10.1007/BF02088721.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, E. F. (2009). Logging on, bouncing back: An experimental investigation of online communication following social exclusion. Developmental Psychology, 45(6), 1787–1793. doi:10.1037/a0016541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guan, S. A., & Subrahmanyam, K. (2009). Youth internet use: Risks and opportunities. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 22, 351–356. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e32832bd7e0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ham, M., & Larson, R. (1990). The cognitive moderation of daily stress in early adolescence. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18(4), 567–585. doi:10.1007/BF00938060.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2013). Social influences on cyberbullying behaviors among middle and high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 711–722. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9902-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, E. V. E., Boivin, M., Vitaro, F., & Bukowski, W. M. (1999). The power of friendship: Protection against an escalating cycle of peer victimization. Developmental Psychology, 35, 94–101. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.35.1.94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoggard, L. S., Byrd, C. M., & Sellers, R. M. (2015). The lagged effects of racial discrimination on depressive symptomology and interactions with racial identity. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62, 216–225. doi:10.1037/cou0000069.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Y., & Chao, C. (2010). An analysis of multiple factors of cyberbullying among junior high school students in Taiwan. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 1581–1590. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2010.06.005.

  • Jones, L. M., Mitchell, K. J., & Finkelhor, D. (2012). Trends in youth internet victimization: Findings from three youth internet safety surveys 2000–2010. Journal of Adolescent Health, 50(2), 179–186. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.09.015.

  • Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. F. (2008). Extending the school grounds? Bullying experiences in cyberspace. Journal of School Health, 78(9), 496–505. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2008.00335.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick, K., Jutengren, G., & Stattin, H. (2012). The protective role of supportive friends against bullying perpetration and victimization. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 1069–1080. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.02.014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiang, L., Yip, T., Gonzales-Becken, M., Witkow, M., & Fuligni, A. J. (2006). Ethnic identity and the daily psychological well-being of adolescents from Mexican and Chinese backgrounds. Child Development, 77(5), 1338–1350. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00938.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler, A., & Lazarin, M. (2007). Hispanic education in the United States. Washington DC: National Council of La Raza.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, R. M., & Limber, S. P. (2013). Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, 13–20. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, R. M., Giumett, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140, 1073–1137. doi:10.1037/a0035618.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, R., & Richards, M. H. (1991). Daily companionship in late childhood and early adolescence: Changing developmental contexts. Child Development, 62, 284–300. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.1991.tb01531.x.

  • Lenhart, A. (2015). Teens, social media and technology overview 2015. Pew Research Center: Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenhart, A., Madden, M., Smith, A., Purcell, K., Zickuhr, K., & Rainie, L. (2011). Teens, kindness and cruelty on social network sites. Pew Internet and American Life Project: Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenhart, A., Smith, A., Anderson, M., Duggan, M., & Perrin, A. (2015). Teens, technology and friendships. Pew Research Center: Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorr, M., & McNair, D. M. (1971). The profile of mood States manual. San Francisco: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Duggan, M., Cortesi, S., & Gasser, U. (2013). Teens and Technology 2013. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project.

  • Malcolm, K. T., Jensen-Campbell, L. A., Rex-Lear, M., & Waldrip, A. M. (2006). Divided we fall: Children’s friendships and peer victimization. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23(5), 721–740. doi:10.1177/0265407506068260.

  • Masten, C. L., Telzer, E. H., Fuligni, A. J., Lieberman, M. D., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). Time spent with friends in adolescence relates to less neural sensitivity to later peer rejection. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 7(1), 106–114. doi:10.1093/scan/nsq098.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mesch, G. S. (2009). Parental mediation, online activities, and cyberbullying. CyberPsychology and Behavior, 12(4), 387–393. doi:10.1089/cpb.2009.0068.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishna, F., Khoury-Kassabri, M., Gadalla, T., & Daciuk, J. (2012). Risk factors for involvement in cyber bullying: Victims, bullies and bully-victims. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 63–70. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.08.032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamoto, J., & Schwartz, D. (2011). The association between peer victimization and functioning at school among urban Latino children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 32, 89–97. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2011.02.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preacher, K. J., Curran, P. J., & Bauer, D. J. (2006). Computational tools for probing interactions in multiple linear regression, multilevel modeling, and latent curve analysis. Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, 31, 437–448. doi:10.3102/10769986031004437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raudenbusch, S., & Bryk, A. (2002). Hierarchical linear models: Applications and data analysis methods. New York: Sage Publications Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Romero, A. J., Wiggs, C. B., Valencia, C., & Bauman, S. (2013). Latina teen suicide and bullying. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 35, 159–173. doi:10.1177/0739986312474237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, K. H., Bukowski, W. M., & Bowker, J. C. (2015). Children in peer groups. In M. H. Bornstein, T. Leventhal, & R. M. Lerner (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science, Vol. 4: Ecological settings and processses (pp. 175–222). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

  • Sandler, I. N., Miller, P., Short, J., & Wolchik, S. A. (1989). Social support as a protective factor for children in stress. In D. Belle (Ed.), Children’s social networks and social supports (pp. 277–307). Oxford, England: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, M. E., & Bagwell, C. L. (2007). The protective role of friendships in overtly and relationally victimized boys and girls. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 53(3), 439–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, D., Gorman, A. H., Dodge, K. A., Petit, G. S., & Bates, J. E. (2008). Friendships with peers who are low or high in aggression as moderators of the link between peer victimization and declines in academic functioning. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36, 719–730. doi:10.1007/s10802-007-9200-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Smokowski, P. R., Evans, C. B. R., & Cotter, K. L. (2014). The differential impacts of episodic, chronic and cumulative physical bullying and cyberbullying: The effects of victimization on the school experiences, social support and mental health of rural adolescents. Violence and Victims, 29, 1029–1046. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-13-00076.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, H. S. (1953). The interpersonal theory of psychiatry. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, M. F. (2016). Cybervictimization and substance use among adolescents: The moderation of perceived social support. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 16, 93–112. doi:10.1080/1533256X.2016.1143371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, C., & Brown, B. B. (2013). Motives for using Facebook, patterns of Facebook activities, and late adolescents’ social adjustment to college. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 13, 403–416. doi:10.1007/s10964-012-9836-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ybarra, M. L., Mitchell, K. J., Palmer, N. A., & Reisner, S. L. (2015). Online social support as a buffer against online and offline peer and sexual victimization among U.S. LGBT and non-LGBT youth. Child Abuse and Neglect, 39, 123–136. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.08.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(1), 30–41. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Studies, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA

    Guadalupe Espinoza

Authors
  1. Guadalupe Espinoza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guadalupe Espinoza.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Funding

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1F31HD070723-01A1

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Espinoza, G. The Protective Role of Friends in the Link between Daily Cyber Victimization and Adjustment Problems among Predominately Latino Adolescents. Journ Child Adol Trauma 11, 61–70 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0164-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0164-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation