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Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth
Cyber-victimization is defined as “the experience of aggressive behaviours while using new electronic technologies, primarily mobile phones and the internet" (Álvarez-García et al., 2015a; Smith & Steffgen, 2013). Approximately 20 to 50% of adolescents have experienced online victimization globa...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Public Health and Family Medicine
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613185121452032 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Hlatshwayo, Lerato |
| author2 | Kassanjee, Reshma |
| author_browse | Hlatshwayo, Lerato Kassanjee, Reshma |
| author_facet | Kassanjee, Reshma Hlatshwayo, Lerato |
| author_sort | Hlatshwayo, Lerato |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Cyber-victimization is defined as “the experience of aggressive behaviours while using new electronic technologies, primarily mobile phones and the internet" (Álvarez-García et al., 2015a; Smith & Steffgen, 2013). Approximately 20 to 50% of adolescents have experienced online victimization globally (Zhu et al., 2021). This is a public health concern because cyber- victimization can harm the mental health of the victim thus leading to depressive symptoms such as anxiety, helplessness, distress, sadness, trauma symptoms, reduced self-esteem, feelings of isolation, fear of socialization, hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal ideation (Hertz et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2022; Landoll et al., 2015; Mason et al., 2009). Research on the risk factors associated with cyber-victimization is relatively new and has some gaps and inconsistencies (Álvarez-García et al., 2015a; Zhu et al., 2021). This study will focus on analyzing the association of some demographic, psychological, educational, family factors and exposure to other forms of violence, with cyber-victimization, in a nationally representative sample of South African children. We aim to determine the lifetime prevalence and last-year prevalence (i.e., annual incidence) of cyber- victimization, as well as the association of cyber-victimization with its correlates, based on a nationally representative cross-sectional study of 15–17-year-old youth in South Africa. Method: This mini dissertation will use secondary data obtained, with permission, from the Optimus Study conducted in South Africa (Ward et al., 2018). The study drew on data from a population survey that was conducted with a sample of 15- to 17-year-old adolescents recruited nationally from schools (4 086 participants) as well as households (5 631 participants) (Ward et al., 2018). The aims of this study are as follows: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of cyber-victimization among South African youth as of 2013/2014, as well as in-person victimization. This will be achieved by reporting the relative frequencies with CI of both the lifetime and last-year prevalence, stratified by key demographic measures. We will also report the prevalence of each of the six types of cyberbullying. To measure the strength of association between cyber-victimization and potential risk/protective factors among South African youth. We will use logistic regression to estimate the association of each factor in table 1 with cyber-victimization, adjusting for the possible confounding factors listed. The associations will be expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (Cis). The unadjusted odds ratios (OR) will be estimated using a univariable regression model for each correlate and adjusted OR (aOR) will be estimated using a multivariable regression model containing all correlates. To study the relationship between cyber-victimization and each of the potential consequences stratified by sex. For the factors, we will report differences in proportions, by cyber-victimization and CIs. The following correlates will be considered as consequences of cyber-victimization (table 2): Behavioral patterns (high-risky sexual behaviours, alcohol and substance misuse), educational (academic performance), and psychological (anxiety, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress). |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41594 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:07.214Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| publisherStr | Department of Public Health and Family Medicine |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41594 Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth Hlatshwayo, Lerato Kassanjee, Reshma Ward, Catherine Cyber-victimization Cyber-victimization is defined as “the experience of aggressive behaviours while using new electronic technologies, primarily mobile phones and the internet" (Álvarez-García et al., 2015a; Smith & Steffgen, 2013). Approximately 20 to 50% of adolescents have experienced online victimization globally (Zhu et al., 2021). This is a public health concern because cyber- victimization can harm the mental health of the victim thus leading to depressive symptoms such as anxiety, helplessness, distress, sadness, trauma symptoms, reduced self-esteem, feelings of isolation, fear of socialization, hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal ideation (Hertz et al., 2015; Kim et al., 2022; Landoll et al., 2015; Mason et al., 2009). Research on the risk factors associated with cyber-victimization is relatively new and has some gaps and inconsistencies (Álvarez-García et al., 2015a; Zhu et al., 2021). This study will focus on analyzing the association of some demographic, psychological, educational, family factors and exposure to other forms of violence, with cyber-victimization, in a nationally representative sample of South African children. We aim to determine the lifetime prevalence and last-year prevalence (i.e., annual incidence) of cyber- victimization, as well as the association of cyber-victimization with its correlates, based on a nationally representative cross-sectional study of 15–17-year-old youth in South Africa. Method: This mini dissertation will use secondary data obtained, with permission, from the Optimus Study conducted in South Africa (Ward et al., 2018). The study drew on data from a population survey that was conducted with a sample of 15- to 17-year-old adolescents recruited nationally from schools (4 086 participants) as well as households (5 631 participants) (Ward et al., 2018). The aims of this study are as follows: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of cyber-victimization among South African youth as of 2013/2014, as well as in-person victimization. This will be achieved by reporting the relative frequencies with CI of both the lifetime and last-year prevalence, stratified by key demographic measures. We will also report the prevalence of each of the six types of cyberbullying. To measure the strength of association between cyber-victimization and potential risk/protective factors among South African youth. We will use logistic regression to estimate the association of each factor in table 1 with cyber-victimization, adjusting for the possible confounding factors listed. The associations will be expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (Cis). The unadjusted odds ratios (OR) will be estimated using a univariable regression model for each correlate and adjusted OR (aOR) will be estimated using a multivariable regression model containing all correlates. To study the relationship between cyber-victimization and each of the potential consequences stratified by sex. For the factors, we will report differences in proportions, by cyber-victimization and CIs. The following correlates will be considered as consequences of cyber-victimization (table 2): Behavioral patterns (high-risky sexual behaviours, alcohol and substance misuse), educational (academic performance), and psychological (anxiety, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress). 2025-08-18T07:19:35Z 2025-08-18T07:19:35Z 2025 2025-08-18T07:13:45Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MPH http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41594 en eng application/pdf Department of Public Health and Family Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Cyber-victimization Hlatshwayo, Lerato Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| title_full | Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| title_short | Prevalence and correlates of cyber-victimization in a nationally representative sample of South African youth |
| title_sort | prevalence and correlates of cyber victimization in a nationally representative sample of south african youth |
| topic | Cyber-victimization |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41594 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hlatshwayolerato prevalenceandcorrelatesofcybervictimizationinanationallyrepresentativesampleofsouthafricanyouth |