The impact of cyberbullying : drug consumption as a coping mechanism for Lebanese University students

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of cyberbullying on various coping mechanisms such as drug abuse and depression among a sample of 251 Lebanese students, aged 17 to 31, and are enrolled in universities across the country. Using a quantitative method and guided by the transactional model for stress and coping theory, a link to a survey was electronically sent to the respondents through different social media platforms. Results show that some respondents are aware of the consequences behind cyberbullying, specifically the extreme ones (such as alcohol or drug addiction as well as suicide). Also, large favoritism is placed on talking to a friend, while there is not much encouragement to seek out a professional therapist, and a mid-way consideration to speak out to the parents is present. Furthermore, between committing suicide and taking drugs, respondents are more likely to take drugs to cope with cyberbullying victimization. In addition, gender is not a differentiating factor when it comes to the likelihood of taking drugs to cope with cyberbullying, and the factor of depression is always a possibility from cyberbullying as is the possibility of taking drugs to cope with it. Finally, more attention should be emphasized on the NGO dealing with cyberbullying present in Lebanon and the positive impact it can have on aiding the victims, and possibly diminishing the cyberbullying phenomenon in the country.