The mediating role of cyber victimization in the effect of perceived social support on cyberbullying in university students

This study aimed to determine the mediating role of cyber victimization in the effect of perceived social support on cyberbullying among university students. This descriptive and cross-sectional study used the STROBE checklist. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of 864 students studying at the health sciences faculty of a state university. Descriptive information form, Revised Cyberbullying Inventory for University Students and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used as data collection tools. As the perceived social support level increases, the level of cyber victimization decreases. As the level of cyber victimization of individuals increases, the level of cyberbullying also increases. As the perceived social support level increases, the level of cyberbullying decreases. While perceived social support has a reducing effect on cyberbullying, cyber victimization functions to reduce this effect. Social support is an important factor in reducing cyberbullying; however, cyber victimization reduces this positive effect. It is recommended to carry out studies that will activate the social support resources of university students, to increase the activities that will support social relations in universities, to support people who have experienced cyber victimization to share their experiences and to receive psychological help when necessary.