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The Relationship between Individual and Family Characteristics and Cyberbullying Exposure in a Nationally Representative Sample of School-Aged Children Living in Serbia

Author

Listed:
  • Ljiljana Rakic

    (Clinic for Hematology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript and are the first authors.)

  • Milena Santric-Milicevic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Centre-School of Public Health and Health Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript and are the first authors.)

  • Dejan Nikolic

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Children’s Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milena Vasic

    (Institute of Public Health of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Faculty of Dentistry in Pancevo, University Business Academy of Novi Sad, 26000 Pancevo, Serbia)

  • Uros Babic

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Clinic of Urology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Jovana Todorovic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Centre-School of Public Health and Health Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Zorica Terzic-Supic

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Centre-School of Public Health and Health Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Sanja Milenkovic

    (Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

The study provides evidence on the individual and family factors as potential predictors (odds ratio—OR and 95% CI) of cyber-violence among school-aged children (11–17 years old) from 64 schools participating in the 2017 Serbian Study on health behavior in school-age children (HBSC). The standardized international HBSC research protocol was used. The study population was the nationally representative sample of 3267 students of V and VII grades of primary and I grade of secondary schools in Serbia. Potential predictors for the probability of occurrence vs. non-occurrence of cyberbullying exposure at least once and multiple times were identified among 24 explanatory variables, including the individual characteristics and family context. The cyberbullying exposure was more prevalent among girls than among boys of school-age, i.e., over one in seven girls and one in ten boys were exposed to cyberbullying. Over one in seven students at age 13 years and almost every seventh student at grade I of the gymnasium were exposed to cyberbullying. There were more students exposed to at least one cyberbullying than to multiple cyberbullying. Potential predictors of exposure to cyberbullying are gender, opinion of the family’s affluence status, fathers’ employment, communication with father, and family support. The study compensates for the evidence of cyberbullying in Serbia, which could help raise awareness, inform national and international stakeholders in the region and enable their efforts and strengthen cooperation in ending cyberbullying. This study’s findings could inform the development of an intervention program aimed at families and various professionals involved in protecting and improving school-age children’s health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Ljiljana Rakic & Milena Santric-Milicevic & Dejan Nikolic & Milena Vasic & Uros Babic & Jovana Todorovic & Zorica Terzic-Supic & Sanja Milenkovic, 2021. "The Relationship between Individual and Family Characteristics and Cyberbullying Exposure in a Nationally Representative Sample of School-Aged Children Living in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-23, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7443-:d:592898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Milena Santric-Milicevic & Aleksandar Stevanovic & Nevena Popovac & Filip Milanovic & Suncica Dedovic & Marija Zdravkovic & Nenad Bjelica & Ratko Tomasevic & Jovana Todorovic & Zorica Terzic-Supic & B, 2022. "Participation in Bullying and Associated Health Characteristics, Risk Factors and Leisure Activities: A Profile of School-Age Children in Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Jesús Henares-Montiel & Vivian Benítez-Hidalgo & Isabel Ruiz-Pérez & Guadalupe Pastor-Moreno & Miguel Rodríguez-Barranco, 2022. "Cyberbullying and Associated Factors in Member Countries of the European Union: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies with Representative Population Samples," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.

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