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The relationship between cyber wellness and psychological resilience in children: a cross-sectional study

Year 2025, Volume: 35 Issue: 2, 352 - 361, 30.04.2025
https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1539354

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research is to investigate the correlation between cyber health and psychological resilience in children.
Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 420 middle school students. Data were collected using the “Student Cyber Health Scale” and the “Child and Youth Resilience Scale”.
Results: A total of 87.1% of the children surveyed accessed the internet through their mobile phones, with an average daily internet use time of 2.75 ± 2.16 hours. Correlations were observed between the Child and Adolescent Resilience Scale score and Student Cyber Health Scale sub-dimensions and three dimensions of internet addiction awareness, online courtesy awareness, and online privacy awareness (r=0.385, p<0.001; r=0.414, p<0.001; r=0. The correlation coefficients for the remaining variables were as follows: online safety awareness (r=0.493), cyberbullying awareness (r=0.534, p<0.001), and online inappropriate content awareness (r=0.450, p<0.001). Psychological resilience has a statistically significant effect on cyberbullying awareness (t=6.856, p<0.001), online kindness awareness (t=4.871, p<0.001), online privacy awareness (t=4 The results demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between psychological resilience and online safety awareness (t=5.283, p<0.001), online inappropriate content awareness (t=5.378, p<0.001), and online kindness awareness (t=4.871, p<0.001). A one-unit increase in the psychological resilience score is associated with a 0.534-unit increase in the cyberbullying awareness score on the Student Cyber Health Scale, a 0.414-unit increase in the online courtesy awareness score, a 0.386-unit increase in the online privacy awareness score, a 0.450-unit increase in the online inappropriate content awareness score, and a 0.443-unit increase in the online safety awareness score.
Conclusion: It is recommended that children be made aware of cyber health issues from the beginning of the school year and, if necessary, receive training in media education and the protection of privacy.

Ethical Statement

Ethical permission was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee of Bartın University (Protocol no. 2024-SBB-0001, Date: 02/01/2024). Additionally, institutional permission was obtained from the Provincial Directorate of National Education for the implementation of the research. The authors of the scales used in the study were contacted via email and informed of their inclusion in the study. Participants were informed about the study and written and verbal consent was obtained.

References

  • 1. Panjeti-Madan VN, Ranganathan P. Impact of screen time on children’s development: cognitive, language, physical, and social and emotional domains. Multimodal Technol Interact. 2023;7:52.
  • 2. Johnston K. Engagement and immersion in digital play: Supporting young children’s digital wellbeing. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(19):10179.
  • 3. Las-Hayas C, Mateo-Abad M, Vergara I, Izco-Basurko I, González-Pinto A, Gabrielli S, et al. Relevance of well-being, resilience, and health-related quality of life to mental health profiles of European adolescents: results from a cross-sectional analysis of the school-based multinational UPRIGHT project. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2022;57(2):279–91.
  • 4. Pan Q, Lan M, Tan CY, Tao S, Liang Q, Law N. Protective factors contributing to adolescents’ multifaceted digital resilience for their wellbeing: A socio-ecological perspective. Comput Human Behav [Internet]. 2024;155:108164. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108164
  • 5. Al-Turif GAR, Al-Sanad HAR. The repercussions of digital bullying on social media users. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1–12.
  • 6. Blanchard L, Conway-Moore K, Aguiar A, Önal F, Rutter H, Helleve A, et al. Associations between social media, adolescent mental health, and diet: A systematic review. Obes Rev. 2023;24(S2):1–15.
  • 7. Castaño-Pulgarín SA, Suárez-Betancur N, Vega LMT, López HMH. Internet, social media, and online hate speech. Systematic review. Aggress Violent Behav. 2021;58:101608.
  • 8. Pardhan S, Parkin J, Trott M, Driscoll R. Risks of digital screen time and recommendations for mitigating adverse outcomes in children and adolescents. J Sch Health. 2022;92(8):765–73.
  • 9. Anjum R, Nodi NH, Das PR, Roknuzzaman ASM, Sarker R, Islam MR. Exploring the association between online gaming addiction and academic performance among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Heal Sci Reports. 2024;7(9):e70043.
  • 10. Merino M, Tornero-Aguilera JF, Rubio-Zarapuz A, Villanueva-Tobaldo CV, Martín-Rodríguez A, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Body perceptions and psychological well-being: a review of the impact of social media and physical measurements on self-esteem and mental health with a focus on body image satisfaction and its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors. Healthc. 2024;12(14):1396.
  • 11. Baker FRL, Baker KL, Burrell J. Introducing the skills-based model of personal resilience: Drawing on content and process factors to build resilience in the workplace. J Occup Organ Psychol. 2021;94(2):458–81.
  • 12. Gao AZ, Chen WC. The association between Internet use and cognitive ability among rural left-behind children in China. Front Public Heal. 2023;11:1–10.
  • 13. Meng Q, Yan Z, Abbas J, Shankar A, Subramanian M. Human-computer interaction and digital literacy promote educational learning in pre-school children: the mediating role of psychological resilience for kids’ mental well-being and school readiness. Int J Hum Comput Interact [Internet]. 2023; Article in. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2248432
  • 14. Üzar-Özçetin YS, Çelik S, Özenç-Ira G. The relationships among psychological resilience, intercultural sensitivity and empathetic tendency among teachers of Syrian refugee children in Turkey. Heal Soc Care Community. 2022;30(2):e410–9.
  • 15. Erbiçer ES, Ceylan V, Yalçın MH, Erbiçer S, Akın E, Koçtürk N, et al. Cyberbullying among children and youth in Türkiye: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr Nurs. 2023;73:184–95.
  • 16. Hinduja S, Patchin JW. Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(3):206–21.
  • 17. Aslan O, Topuz İ, Eldeleklioğlu J. Investigating the mediating role of digital game addiction in the relationship between adolescents’ school belonging and resilience. Educ Dev Psychol. 2024;42(1):37–49.
  • 18. Yıldırım M, Çiçek İ. Fear of COVID-19 and smartphone addiction among Turkish adolescents: mitigating role of resilience. Fam J. 2022; Article in.
  • 19. Liebenberg L, Ungar M, Leblanc JC. The CYRM-12: A Brief Measure of Resilience. Can J Public Heal. 2013;104(2):e131–5.
  • 20. Arslan G. Psychometric Properties of Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12): The study of reliability and validity. Ege Eğitim Derg 2015. 2015;2015(16):1–12.
  • 21. Mıhçı P, Kılıç Çakmak E. A Study on Student Cyberwellness Scales Development. GEFAD / GUJGEF. 2017;37(2):457–91.
  • 22. Kabadayi F, Sari S V. What is the role of resilience in predicting cyberbullying perpetrators and their victims? J Psychol Couns Sch. 2018;28(1):102–17.
  • 23. Bui MV, McInnes E, Ennis G, Foster K. Resilience and mental health nursing: An integrative review of updated evidence. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2023;32(4):1055–71.
  • 24. Güçlü G, Çam S. Investigation of resilience in according exposure to cyberbullying in adolescents. Cukurova Univ Fac Educ J. 2022;51(3):1584–609.
  • 25. Yiğit MF, Seferoğlu SS. A review of cyberbullying-related factors and possible solutions was suggested. Online J Technol Addict Cyberbullying [Internet]. 2017;4(2):13–49. Available from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ojtac/issue/33736/350465
  • 26. Finkelhor D, Jones L, Mitchell K. Teaching privacy: A flawed strategy for children’s online safety. Child Abus Negl. 2021;117:105064.
  • 27. Matz SC, Appel RE, Kosinski M. Privacy in the age of psychological targeting. Curr Opin Psychol [Internet]. 2020;31(2):116–21. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.010
  • 28. Park J, Akter M, Ali NS, Agha Z, Alsoubai A, Wisniewski P. Towards resilience and autonomy-based approaches for adolescents online safety. SSRN Electron J. 2023;
  • 29. Jevremovic A, Veinovic M, Cabarkapa M, Krstic M, Chorbev I, Dimitrovski I, et al. Keeping children safe online with limited resources: analyzing what is seen and heard. IEEE Access. 2021;9:132723–32.
  • 30. Smahel D, Machackova H, Mascheroni G, Dedkova L, Staksrud E, Ólafsson K, et al. EU Kids Online 2020: Survey results from 19 countries. EU Kids Online. 2015;
  • 31. Martzoukou K. “Maddie is online”: an educational video cartoon series on digital literacy and resilience for children. J Res Innov Teach Learn. 2022;15(1):64–82.
  • 32. Tang ACY, Lee RLT. Effects of a group mindfulness-based cognitive program on smartphone addictive symptoms and resilience among adolescents: study protocol of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. BMC Nurs. 2021;20(1):1–13.
  • 33. Zhu C, Huang S, Evans R, Zhang W. Cyberbullying among adolescents and children: a comprehensive review of the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures. Front Public Heal. 2021;9:634909.
  • 34. Vissenberg J, D’haenens L. Protecting youths’ wellbeing online: Studying the associations between opportunities, risks, and resilience. Media Commun. 2020;8(2):175–84.
  • 35. El-Asam A, Lane R, Katz A. Psychological distress and its mediating effect on experiences of online risk: the case for vulnerable young people. Front Educ. 2022;7(August):772051.
  • 36. Güçlü G. Investigation of resilience in adolescents by exposure. Çukurova University; 2019.
  • 37. Taştekin E, Bayhan P. Examination of cyberbullying and victimization among adolescents. Online J Technol Addict Cyberbullying [Internet]. 2018;5(2):21–45. Available from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ojtac/issue/41898/392522
  • 38. Çelik M, Yılmaz M. The mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between social media addiction and emotional eating. J Dicle Univ Ziya Gökalp Fac Educ. 2021;37:1–15.
  • 39. Çekirdekçi A, Yılmaz M. The relationship between depression, panic disorder generalized anxiety disorder, and psychological resilience. J Posit Psychol Wellbeing. 2020;4(2):1–12.
  • 40. İnayet A. Ethical issues in educational technology. Kastamonu Educ J. 2024;32(1):861–81.

Çocuklarda siber sağlık ve psikolojik sağlamlık arasındaki ilişki: kesitsel bir araştırma

Year 2025, Volume: 35 Issue: 2, 352 - 361, 30.04.2025
https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1539354

Abstract

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı çocuklarda siber sağlık ve psikolojik sağlamlık arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir.
Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışma 420 ortaokul öğrencisi ile gerçekleştirildi. Veriler “Öğrenci Siber Sağlık Ölçeği” ve “Çocuk ve Genç Psikolojik Sağlamlılık Ölçeği” ile toplandı.
Bulgular: Çocukların %87.1’i internete telefon aracılığıyla giriyordu ve günlük internet kullanma süreleri ortalama 2.75±2.16 saatti. Çocuk ve Genç Psikolojik Sağlamlık Ölçeği puanı ile Öğrenci Siber Sağlık Ölçeği alt boyutları internet bağımlılığı farkındalığı (r=0.385, p<0.001), çevrimiçi nezaket farkındalığı (r=0.414, p<0.001), çevrimiçi mahremiyet farkındalığı (r=0.384, p<0.001), çevrimiçi güvenlik farkındalığı (r=0.493), siber zorbalık farkındalığı (r=0.534, p<0.001) ve çevrimiçi uygunsuz içerik farkındalığı (r=0.450, p<0.001) puanları arasında pozitif korelasyonlar vardır. Psikolojik sağlamlığın siber zorbalık farkındalığı (t=6.856, p<0.001), çevrimiçi nezaket farkındalığı (t=4.871, p<0.001), çevrimiçi mahremiyet farkındalığı (t=4.540, p<0.001), çevrimiçi uygunsuz içerik farkındalığı (t=5.378, p<0.001) ve çevrimiçi güvenlik farkındalığı (t=5.283, p<0.001) üzerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir etkisinin olduğu görülmektedir. Psikolojik sağlamlık puanındaki 1 birimlik artış, Öğrenci Siber Sağlık Ölçeği’nin siber zorbalık farkındalığı puanının 0.534’lik artmasına, çevrimiçi nezaket farkındalığı puanının 0.414’lük artmasına, çevrimiçi mahremiyet farkındalığı puanının 0.386’lık artmasına, çevrimiçi uygunsuz içerik farkındalığı puanının 0.450’lık artmasına ve çevrimiçi güvenlik farkındalığı puanının ise 0.443’lük artmasına neden olmaktadır.
Sonuç: Çocukların okul yılı başından itibaren siber sağlığa duyarlı hale getirilmesi ve gerekiyorsa medya eğitimi ve mahremiyetin korunması konusunda psikoeğitim programları veya grup eğitimlerinin planlanması önerilmektedir.

References

  • 1. Panjeti-Madan VN, Ranganathan P. Impact of screen time on children’s development: cognitive, language, physical, and social and emotional domains. Multimodal Technol Interact. 2023;7:52.
  • 2. Johnston K. Engagement and immersion in digital play: Supporting young children’s digital wellbeing. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(19):10179.
  • 3. Las-Hayas C, Mateo-Abad M, Vergara I, Izco-Basurko I, González-Pinto A, Gabrielli S, et al. Relevance of well-being, resilience, and health-related quality of life to mental health profiles of European adolescents: results from a cross-sectional analysis of the school-based multinational UPRIGHT project. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2022;57(2):279–91.
  • 4. Pan Q, Lan M, Tan CY, Tao S, Liang Q, Law N. Protective factors contributing to adolescents’ multifaceted digital resilience for their wellbeing: A socio-ecological perspective. Comput Human Behav [Internet]. 2024;155:108164. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2024.108164
  • 5. Al-Turif GAR, Al-Sanad HAR. The repercussions of digital bullying on social media users. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1–12.
  • 6. Blanchard L, Conway-Moore K, Aguiar A, Önal F, Rutter H, Helleve A, et al. Associations between social media, adolescent mental health, and diet: A systematic review. Obes Rev. 2023;24(S2):1–15.
  • 7. Castaño-Pulgarín SA, Suárez-Betancur N, Vega LMT, López HMH. Internet, social media, and online hate speech. Systematic review. Aggress Violent Behav. 2021;58:101608.
  • 8. Pardhan S, Parkin J, Trott M, Driscoll R. Risks of digital screen time and recommendations for mitigating adverse outcomes in children and adolescents. J Sch Health. 2022;92(8):765–73.
  • 9. Anjum R, Nodi NH, Das PR, Roknuzzaman ASM, Sarker R, Islam MR. Exploring the association between online gaming addiction and academic performance among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Heal Sci Reports. 2024;7(9):e70043.
  • 10. Merino M, Tornero-Aguilera JF, Rubio-Zarapuz A, Villanueva-Tobaldo CV, Martín-Rodríguez A, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Body perceptions and psychological well-being: a review of the impact of social media and physical measurements on self-esteem and mental health with a focus on body image satisfaction and its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors. Healthc. 2024;12(14):1396.
  • 11. Baker FRL, Baker KL, Burrell J. Introducing the skills-based model of personal resilience: Drawing on content and process factors to build resilience in the workplace. J Occup Organ Psychol. 2021;94(2):458–81.
  • 12. Gao AZ, Chen WC. The association between Internet use and cognitive ability among rural left-behind children in China. Front Public Heal. 2023;11:1–10.
  • 13. Meng Q, Yan Z, Abbas J, Shankar A, Subramanian M. Human-computer interaction and digital literacy promote educational learning in pre-school children: the mediating role of psychological resilience for kids’ mental well-being and school readiness. Int J Hum Comput Interact [Internet]. 2023; Article in. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2248432
  • 14. Üzar-Özçetin YS, Çelik S, Özenç-Ira G. The relationships among psychological resilience, intercultural sensitivity and empathetic tendency among teachers of Syrian refugee children in Turkey. Heal Soc Care Community. 2022;30(2):e410–9.
  • 15. Erbiçer ES, Ceylan V, Yalçın MH, Erbiçer S, Akın E, Koçtürk N, et al. Cyberbullying among children and youth in Türkiye: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr Nurs. 2023;73:184–95.
  • 16. Hinduja S, Patchin JW. Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Arch Suicide Res. 2010;14(3):206–21.
  • 17. Aslan O, Topuz İ, Eldeleklioğlu J. Investigating the mediating role of digital game addiction in the relationship between adolescents’ school belonging and resilience. Educ Dev Psychol. 2024;42(1):37–49.
  • 18. Yıldırım M, Çiçek İ. Fear of COVID-19 and smartphone addiction among Turkish adolescents: mitigating role of resilience. Fam J. 2022; Article in.
  • 19. Liebenberg L, Ungar M, Leblanc JC. The CYRM-12: A Brief Measure of Resilience. Can J Public Heal. 2013;104(2):e131–5.
  • 20. Arslan G. Psychometric Properties of Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12): The study of reliability and validity. Ege Eğitim Derg 2015. 2015;2015(16):1–12.
  • 21. Mıhçı P, Kılıç Çakmak E. A Study on Student Cyberwellness Scales Development. GEFAD / GUJGEF. 2017;37(2):457–91.
  • 22. Kabadayi F, Sari S V. What is the role of resilience in predicting cyberbullying perpetrators and their victims? J Psychol Couns Sch. 2018;28(1):102–17.
  • 23. Bui MV, McInnes E, Ennis G, Foster K. Resilience and mental health nursing: An integrative review of updated evidence. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2023;32(4):1055–71.
  • 24. Güçlü G, Çam S. Investigation of resilience in according exposure to cyberbullying in adolescents. Cukurova Univ Fac Educ J. 2022;51(3):1584–609.
  • 25. Yiğit MF, Seferoğlu SS. A review of cyberbullying-related factors and possible solutions was suggested. Online J Technol Addict Cyberbullying [Internet]. 2017;4(2):13–49. Available from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ojtac/issue/33736/350465
  • 26. Finkelhor D, Jones L, Mitchell K. Teaching privacy: A flawed strategy for children’s online safety. Child Abus Negl. 2021;117:105064.
  • 27. Matz SC, Appel RE, Kosinski M. Privacy in the age of psychological targeting. Curr Opin Psychol [Internet]. 2020;31(2):116–21. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.010
  • 28. Park J, Akter M, Ali NS, Agha Z, Alsoubai A, Wisniewski P. Towards resilience and autonomy-based approaches for adolescents online safety. SSRN Electron J. 2023;
  • 29. Jevremovic A, Veinovic M, Cabarkapa M, Krstic M, Chorbev I, Dimitrovski I, et al. Keeping children safe online with limited resources: analyzing what is seen and heard. IEEE Access. 2021;9:132723–32.
  • 30. Smahel D, Machackova H, Mascheroni G, Dedkova L, Staksrud E, Ólafsson K, et al. EU Kids Online 2020: Survey results from 19 countries. EU Kids Online. 2015;
  • 31. Martzoukou K. “Maddie is online”: an educational video cartoon series on digital literacy and resilience for children. J Res Innov Teach Learn. 2022;15(1):64–82.
  • 32. Tang ACY, Lee RLT. Effects of a group mindfulness-based cognitive program on smartphone addictive symptoms and resilience among adolescents: study protocol of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. BMC Nurs. 2021;20(1):1–13.
  • 33. Zhu C, Huang S, Evans R, Zhang W. Cyberbullying among adolescents and children: a comprehensive review of the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures. Front Public Heal. 2021;9:634909.
  • 34. Vissenberg J, D’haenens L. Protecting youths’ wellbeing online: Studying the associations between opportunities, risks, and resilience. Media Commun. 2020;8(2):175–84.
  • 35. El-Asam A, Lane R, Katz A. Psychological distress and its mediating effect on experiences of online risk: the case for vulnerable young people. Front Educ. 2022;7(August):772051.
  • 36. Güçlü G. Investigation of resilience in adolescents by exposure. Çukurova University; 2019.
  • 37. Taştekin E, Bayhan P. Examination of cyberbullying and victimization among adolescents. Online J Technol Addict Cyberbullying [Internet]. 2018;5(2):21–45. Available from: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ojtac/issue/41898/392522
  • 38. Çelik M, Yılmaz M. The mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between social media addiction and emotional eating. J Dicle Univ Ziya Gökalp Fac Educ. 2021;37:1–15.
  • 39. Çekirdekçi A, Yılmaz M. The relationship between depression, panic disorder generalized anxiety disorder, and psychological resilience. J Posit Psychol Wellbeing. 2020;4(2):1–12.
  • 40. İnayet A. Ethical issues in educational technology. Kastamonu Educ J. 2024;32(1):861–81.
There are 40 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section Original Article
Authors

Aylin Kurt 0000-0002-5521-0828

İsmail Berat Uzun 0000-0003-0095-0738

Beyza Nur Açıcı 0009-0004-4135-323X

Ahmet Can Tunç 0009-0008-8296-2911

Berika Büyükatar 0009-0009-6687-8135

Publication Date April 30, 2025
Submission Date August 27, 2024
Acceptance Date February 21, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 35 Issue: 2

Cite

Vancouver Kurt A, Uzun İB, Açıcı BN, Tunç AC, Büyükatar B. The relationship between cyber wellness and psychological resilience in children: a cross-sectional study. Genel Tıp Derg. 2025;35(2):352-61.

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