Communication Skills, Moral Disengagement, and the Bully Role in Cyberbullying

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 15 Sayı: 4, 1286 - 1308, 28.12.2025

Sami Kırteke , Bahtiyar Eraslan Çapan

https://doi.org/10.18039/ajesi.1653146

Öz

The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of moral disengagement strategies in the relationship between communication skills and the bully role in the cyberbullying process. This study used a mixed design. In the quantitative section of the study, data were collected from 551 adolescents using the bully form of the Cyberbullying Test, the Collective Moral Disengagement Scale, and the Real and Electronic Communication Skills Questionnaire, while 11 individuals were interviewed in the qualitative section. The findings obtained from the structural analysis in the study’s quantitative section showed that the moral disengagement levels of bully adolescents mediated the relationship between electronic communication skills and cyberbullying levels (β=.14, p<.05), and moral disengagement levels mediated the relationship between real communication skills and cyberbullying levels in the bully role (β=-.34, p<.05). The qualitative findings obtained by conducting content analysis within the scope of the study determined that individuals in the bully role were involved in the cyberbullying process using moral disengagement strategies under the influence of their electronic communication skills. The results were discussed with the relevant research findings.

Anahtar Kelimeler

cyberbullying , moral disengagement , communication skills , bully role

Etik Beyan

Bu araştırma Anadolu Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu'nun 29/09/2020 tarih ve 39950 sayılı kararı ile izin alınarak yapılmıştır.

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu araştırma Anadolu Üniversitesi BAP Komisyonu tarafından kabul edilen 2004E015 nolu proje kapsamında desteklenmiştir.

Proje Numarası

2004E015

Teşekkür

Katkılarından dolayı Anadolu Üniversitesine teşekkür ederiz.

Kaynakça

• Al-shatnawi, F., Ababneh, A.M.T., Elemary, F.M., Rayan, A., & Baqeas, M.H. (2024). Prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration and cyberbullying victimization among nursing students in jordan. SAGE Open Sage Open Nursing, 10, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608241256509
• Allison, K.R., & Bussey, K. (2017). Individual and collective moral influences on intervention in cyberbullying. Computers in Human Behavior, 74, 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.019
• Antoniadou, N., & Kokkinos, C.M. (2013). Cyberbullying and cybervictimization among children and adolescents: Frequency and risk factors. Preschool and Primary Education, 1, 138–169. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/ppej.42
• Antonio, R., Guerra, R., & Moleiro, C. (2024). Cyberbullying during COVID‑19 lockdowns: Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes for youth. Current Psychology, 43, 1067–1083 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-02304394-7
• Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.1
• Bauman, S. (2010). Cyberbullying in a rural intermediate school: An exploratory study. Journal of Early Adolescence, 30, 803–833. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431609350927
• Bhat, C.S. (2008). Cyberbullying: Overview and strategies for school counsellors, guidance officers, and all school personnel. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 1(1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.18.1.53
• Bjahered, M., Thornberg, R., Wanström, L., & Gini, G. (2020). Mechanisms of moral disengagement and their associations within direct bullying, direct bullying and proaggressive bystander behavior. Journal of Early Adolescence, 40(1) 28–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431618824745
• Brown, C. (2013). Are we becoming more socially awkward? An analysis of the relationship between technological communication use and social skills in college students. [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. London: Connecticut College, England.
• Chan, T.K., Cheung, C.M., & Lee, Z.W. (2021). Cyberbullying on social networking sites: A literature review and future research directions. Information & Management, 58(2), 103411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2020.103411 Choi, S.B., Tran, T.B., & Park, B.I. (2015). Inclusive leadership and work engagment: Mediating roles of affective organizational commitment and creativity. Social Behavior and Personality, 43(1), 931–944. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2015.43.6.931
• Creswell, J.W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (4. Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc., London.
• Creswell, J.W. (2015). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. (2. Edition). Boston: Pearson.
• Dooley, J.J., Pyzalski, J., & Cross, D. (2009). Cyberbullying versus face-to-face bullying. Psychologiel Journal of Psychology, 217(4),182–188. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.182
• Doramajian, C., & Bukowski, W.M. (2015). A longitudinal study of the associations between moral disengagement and active defending versus passive bystanding during bullying situations. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 61, 144–172. https://doi.org/10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.61.1.0144
• Eraslan-Çapan, B., & Bakioglu, F. (2016). Adaptation of collective moral disengagement scale into Turkish culture for adolescents. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 4(6), 1452–1457. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2016.040624
• Eraslan-Çapan, B., Bakioğlu, F., & Kırteke, S. (2020). Adaptation of cyber bullying scale to Turkish culture: Psychometric properties. Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry, 21, 39–47. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb.509
• Farooq, S., Abdullatif, M., & Altheeb, A. (2023). Prevalence of cyberbullying and associated factors among adolescents in Dubai schools: Complex design survey – 2019, Internatıonal Journal Of Adolescence And Youth, 28(1), 2278648. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2278648
• Garaigordobil, M. (2015). Psychometric Properties of the cyberbullying test, a screening instrument to measure cybervictimization, cyberaggression, and cyberobservation. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(23), 3556–3576. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515600165
• Gasser, L., & Keller, M. (2009). Are the competent the morally good? Perspective taking and moral motivation of children involved in bullying. Social Development, 18, 798–816. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14679507.2008.00516.x
• George, D., & Mallery, P. (2016). IBM SPSS Statistics 23 Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315545899
• Gini, G., Pozzoli, T., & Bussey, K. (2014). Collective moral disengagement: Initial validation of a scale for adolescents. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 11, 386–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2013.851024
• Gini, G., Pozzoli, T., & Bussey, K. (2015). The role of individual and collective moral disengagement in peer aggression and bystanding: A multilevel analysis. Journal of Anormal Child Psychology, 43, 441–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-014-9920-7
• Gómez, C.V., & Marta-Lazo, C. (2015). Modelo de integración educomunicativa de "apps" móviles para la enseñanza y aprendizaje. Pixel-Bit Revista de Medios y Educación, 46, 137–153. https://doi.org/10.12795/pixelbit.2015.i46.09
• Gomez-Ortiz, O., Romera, E.M., & Ortega-Ruiz, R. (2017). Multi dimensionality of social competence: Measurement of the construct and its relationship with bullying roles. Revista de Psicodidactica, 22(1), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.1387/RevPsicodidact.15702
• Hamm, M.P., Newton, A.S., Chisholm, A., Shulhan, J., Milne, A., Sundar, P., Hartling, L., Ennis, H., & Scott, S.D. (2015). Prevalence and effect of cyberbullying on children and young people. JAMA Pediatrics, 169 (8), 770–777. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.0944
• Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J.W. (2009) Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
• Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J.W. (2010). Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14(3), 206–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2010.494133
• Hunt, D., Aktin, D., & Krishnan, A. (2012). The influence of computer-mediated communication apprehension on motives for Facebook use. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 56, 187–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2012.678717
• Johnson, A.J., Haigh, M.M., Becker, J.A.H., Craig, E.A., & Wigley, S. (2008). College students' use of relational management strategies in email in longdistance and geographically close relationships. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(2), 381–404. https://doi.org/10.11 l/j.l083-6101.2008.00401.x
• Kardefelt-Winther, D. (2014). The moderating role of psychosocial well-being on the relationship between escapism and excessive online gaming. Computers in Human Behavior, 38, 68–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.020
• Kırteke, S., Eraslan Çapan, B., & Bakioğlu, F. (2020, September, 10-13). Adaptation of the real and electronic communication skills questionnaire to Turkish samples: Validity and reliability study [Oral presentation]. 7th International Eurasian Educational Research Congress, Eskişehir, Turkey. Retrieved From: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RvIEWFv2wyi4vlWvx8uqIrved5_SWd3u/view
• Killer, B., Bussey, K., Hawes, D.J., & Hunt, C. (2019). A meta-analysis of the relationship between moral disengagement and bullying roles in youth. Aggressive Behavior, 45(4), 450–462. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21833.
• Kowalski, R.M., Limber, S.P., & Agaston, P.W. (2008). Cyberbullying: Bullying in the digital age. Malden, Massachusetts: John Wiley.
• Kowalski, R.M., Schroeder, A.N., Giumetti, G.W., & Lattanner, M.R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: A critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1073–1137. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035618
• Kuasandra, M.K., Sunawan, S., & Japar, M. (2020). The effect of moral disengagement on bullying behavior tendency with empathy as a mediator on students in Pekalongan City. Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 9(2), 103–110 https://doi.org/10.15294/jubk.v9i2.37089
• Lampe, C., Ellison, N., & Steinfield, C. (2008). Socialcapital, self-esteem, and use of online social network sites: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(6), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2008.07.002
• Lapidot-Lefter, N., & Dolev-Cohen, M. (2014). Differences in social skills among cyberbullies, cybervictims, cyberbystanders, and those not involved in cyberbullying. Journal of Child & Adolescent Behavior, 2(4), 149. https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4494.1000149
• Larrañaga, E., Navarro, R., & Yubero, S. (2018). Socio-cognitive and emotional factors in cyberbullying aggression. Communicate, 26(56), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.3916/C56-2018-02
• Llorent, V.J., Farrington, D.P., & Zych, I. (2021). The coexistence plan and its relationship with socio-emotional skills, bullying and cyberbullying in secondary education. Journal of Psychodidactics, 26(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psicod.2020.11.002
• Lo Cricchio, M.G., García-Poole, C., te Brinke, L.W., Bianchi, D., & Menesini, E. (2021). Moral disengagement and cyberbullying involvement: A systematic review. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 18(2), 271–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2020.1782186
• Macháčková H. (2020). Bystander reactions to cyberbullying and cyberaggression: Individual, contextual, and social factors. Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 130–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.06.003.
• Machimbarrena, J.M., & Garaigordobil, M. (2018). Prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying in the last stage of primary education in the Basque country. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 21, 12–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2018.41
• Malchanov, S.V., & Almazova, O.V. (2020). Close interpersonal relations with parents and peers in adolescence as the factor of use of moral disengagement mechanisms. Psikhologo-pedagogicheskie issledovaniya-Psychological-Educational Studies, 12(3), 124–136. https://doi.org/10.17759/psyedu.2020120308
• Manikumar, M., Monisha, R., Pahinian, A., Jeganathan, A., & Aparna, K.K. (2018). Efficacy of Nadishodhan Pranayama - Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) on Functional Improvement in Post CABG Patient. Biomedical Pharmacology Journal, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.13005/BPJ/1406
• Mantzouranis, G., Baudat, S., & Zimmermann, G. (2019). Assessing online and offline adolescent social skills: Devolopment and validation of the real and electronic communication skills questionnaire. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 22(6), 404–411. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2018.0655
• Menesini, E., Nocentini, A., Palladino, B.E., Frisén, A., Berne, S., Ortega-Ruiz, R., Naruskov, K., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., Luik, P., Naruskov, K., Blaya, C., Berthaud, J., Smith, P.K., & Calmaestra, J. (2012). Cyberbullying definition among adolescents: A comparison across six European countries. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15(9), 455–463. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0040
• Miers, A.C., Blööte, A.W., de Rooij, M., Bokhorst, C.L., & Westenberg, P.M. (2013). Trajectories of social anxiety during adolescence and relations with cognition, social competence, and temperament. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 41, 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9651-6
• Mishna, F., Khoury-Kassabri, M., Gadalla, T., & Daciuk, J. (2012). Risk factors for involvement in cyberbullying: Victims, bullies, and bully-victims. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 63–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.08.032
• Nesi, J., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Prinstein, M.J. (2018). Transformation of adolescent peer relations in the social media context: Part 1-a theoretical review and application to dyadic peer relationships. Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review, 21(3), 295–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-018-0261-x
• Nocentini, A., Calmaestra, J., Schultze-Krumbholz, A., Scheithauer, H., Ortega, R., & Menesini, E. (2010). Cyberbullying: Labels, behaviours and definition in three European countries. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 20(2), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.1375/ajgc.20.2.129
• Orue, I., & Calvete, E. (2019). Psychopathic traits and moral disengagement interact to predict bullying and cyberbullying among adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(11), 2313–2332. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516660302
• Papatraianou, L.H., Levine, D., & West, D. (2014). Resilience in the face of cyberbullying: An ecological perspective on young people’s experiences of online adversity. Pastoral Care in Education, 32(4), 264–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2014.974661
• Patchin, J.W., & Hinduja, S. (2015, 13 June). Cyberbullying legislation and case law implications for school policy and practice. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved from: https://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying-fact-sheet-a-brief-review-of-relevant-legal-and-policy-issues
• Perren, S., & Gutzwiller-Helfenfinger, E. (2012). Cyberbullying and traditional bullying in adolescence: Differential roles of moral disengagement, moral emotions, and moral values. The European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9(2), 195–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2011.643168
• Peter, J., Valkenburg, P.M., & Schouten, A.P. (2005). Developing a model of adolescent friendship formation on the internet. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 8(5), 423–430. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2005.8.423
• Postigo, S., Gonzalez, R., Mateu, C., & Montoya, I. (2012). Predicting bullying: Maladjustment, social skills and popularity. Educational Psychology, 32(5), 627–639. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2012.680881
• Reich, S.M. (2017). Connecting offline social competence to online peer interactions. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 6(4), 291–310. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000111
• Renati, R., Berrone, C., & Zanetti, M.A. (2012). Morally disengaged and unempathic: Do cyberbullies fit these definitions? An exploratory study. Cyber Psychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 15(8), 391–398. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0046
• Riaz, S., & Bano, Z. (2018). Development and psychometric properties of moral disengagement scale for adolescents. Pakistan Journal of Psychology, 49(1), 3–22. https://www.pjpku.com/index.php/pjp/article/view/27
• Romera, E.M., Cano, J.J., García-Fernández, C.M., & Ortega-Ruiz, R. (2016). Cyberbullying: Social competence, motivation and peer relationships. Comunicar, 24, 71–79. http://doi.org/10.3916/C48-2016-07
• Romera, E.M., Ortega-Ruiz, R., Runions, K., & Falla, D. (2020). Moral disengagement strategies in online and offline bullying. Psychosocial Intervention, 30(2), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2020a21
• Rothschild, L.B. (2015). Facebook use and relationship to social connectedness and loneliness: The moderating role of social skills [Unpublished Master's Thesis]. Washington: Faculty of he College of Arts and Sciences, American University. Amerika.
• Runions, K.C., & Bak, M. (2015). Online moral disengagement, cyberbullying, and cyberaggression. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18, 400–405. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2014.0670
• Runions, K.C., Shaw, T., Bussey, K., Thornberg, R., Salmivalli, C., & Cross, D.S. (2019). Moral disengagement of purebullies and bully/victims: Shared and distinct mechanisms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1835–1848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01067-2
• Teng, Z., Nie, Q., Pan, Y., Liu, Y., & Guo, C. (2017). A cross-lagged model of the relationship between violent video game exposure and moral disengagement in middle school and high school students. Children and Youth Services Review, 81, 117–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.07.029
• Vandenbosch, H., & Van Cleemput, K. (2008). Cyberbullying among youngsters: Profiles of bullies and victims. New Media & Society, 11, 1349–1371. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809341263
• Wang, S. (2021). Standing up or standing by: Bystander intervention in cyberbullying on social media. New Media & Society, 23(6), 1379–1397. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820902541
• Wang, C., & Goldberg, T.S. (2017). Using children’s literature to decrease moral disengagement and victimization among elementary school students. Psychology in the Schools, 54(3), 918–931. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22042
• Wang, Y., & Haggerty, N. (2011). Individual virtual competence and its influence on work outcomes. Journal of Management Information Systems, 27(4), 299–334, https://doi.org/10.2753/MIS0742-1222270410
• Wang, X., Lei, L., Liu, D., & Hu, H. (2016). Moderating efects of moral reasoning and gender on the relation between moral disengagement and cyberbullying in adolescents. Personality and Individual Diferences, 98, 244–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.056
• Wang, C., Ryoo, H.J., Swearer, S.M., Turner, R., & Goldberg, T.S. (2016). Longitudinal relationships between bullying and moral disengagement among adolescents. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 46, 1304–1317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0577-0
• Wang, X., Yang, J., Wang, P., & Lei, L. (2019). Childhood maltreatment, moral disengagement, and adolescents' cyberbullying perpetration: Fathers' and mothers' moral disengagement as moderators. Computers in Human Behavior, 95, 48–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.01.031
• Ybarra, M.L., & Mitchell, K.J. (2004). Online aggressor/targets, aggressors and targets: A comparison of associated youth characteristics. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45, 1308–1316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00328.x
• Yosep I., Hikmat R., & Mardhiyah, A. (2023). Nursing intervention for preventing cyberbullying and reducing its negative impact on students: A scoping review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 26(16), 261–273. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S400779
• You, S., Kim, E., & No, U. (2015). Impact of violent video games on the social behaviors of adolescents: The mediating role of emotional competence. School Psychology International, 36(1), 94-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034314562921
• Zhou, Y., Zheng, W., & Gao, X., (2019). The relationship between the big five and cyberbullying among college students: The mediating effect of moral disengagement. Current Psychology, 38, 1162–1173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-018-0005-6
• Zych, I., Farrington, D.P., & Ttofi, M.M. (2019). Protective factors against bullying and cyberbullying: A systematic review of meta-analyses. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 45, 4–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.06.008
• Zych, I., Ortega-Ruiz, R., & Marín-López, I. (2017). Emotional content in cyberspace: Development and validation of the e-motions questionnaire in adolescents and young people. Psychothema, 29(4), 563–569. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2016.340
• Zych, I., Baldry, A.C., Farrington, D.P., & Llorent, V.J. (2019). Are children involved in cyberbullying low on empathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis of research on empathy versus different cyberbullying roles. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 45, 83–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2018.03.004