Abstract:

Purpose:  Cyber bullying is a new phenomenon which adversely affects young people. Exposure to the cyber bullying can negatively affect the mental health. The aim of this study is to examine the predictive effect of self-control on cyber victimization in adolescents. Research Methods:  The study group was composed of 353 Turkish secondary school students. The research data were collected using the Brief Self-Control Scale and Cyber Victimization Scale. To examine predictive relationships between self-control and cyber victimization, the descriptive relational model was used. In the study, the analysis of the data was made using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and structural equation modelling. Findings:  As a result of the study, significant relationships were determined in the negative direction, at low and moderate level between the impulsivity and self-discipline sub-dimensions of the self-control scale and cyber language victimization, hidden identities and cyber forgery sub-dimensions of the cyber victimization scale. Another result of the study was that the self-control latent variable (SC) covering the impulsivity and self-discipline sub-dimensions predicted negatively the cyber victimization latent variable (CV), which relates to cyber language victimization, hidden identity and cyber forgery sub-dimensions. Implications for Research and Practice:  As a result of the study, it was found that self-control predicted cyber victimization in a negative way. The structural modelling analysis indicated that the model related to self-control's predicting cyber victimization was acceptable and the model could account for the relationships between the observed and the latent variables sufficiently. Counselors can place students in activities to improve their self-control skills

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