Unravelling the Nexus: Cyberbullying, Sleep Quality, and Sleep-Related Impairments on Digital Platforms Among Young Adults

Abstract

Cyberbullying presents a significant mental health concern on a national scale, particularly among young adults who are native to the digital world. This study explores the intricate dynamics between cyberbullying encounters, sleep quality, and sleep-related impairments among individuals aged 18 to 25. Considering the prevalence of cyberbullying and its negative effects, understanding its nuanced impacts on sleep health becomes imperative. This study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 105 participants, and quantitative methods were used for data analysis. Logistic regression, multivariate tests, correlation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis were employed to unravel the complex interplay between cyberbullying, demographic factors, and sleep outcomes. Gender and education level were found to be significant predictors of cyberbullying incidents, revealing demographic disparities in victimization. Additionally, sleep quality played a vital role as a mediator in the association between cyberbullying and sleep-related impairments, highlighting the interconnected nature of these variables. Various forms of cyberbullying showed nuanced impacts on both sleep quality and associated impairments, emphasizing the importance of personalized interventions. These results underscore the importance of holistic strategies that incorporate demographic factors and sleep-focused interventions to protect the health and well-being of individuals impacted by cyberbullying.

Keywords

• Cyberbullying
• Sleep Quality
• Sleep-Related Impairments
• Young Adults

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received from any person or institution for the study.

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this article complies with ethical standards and rules. Ethics committee approval was received for this study from the Çankırı Karatekin University Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Science, Mathematics, and Social Sciences (Approval decision full date: December 20, 2023, Decision number: 37).

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