Cyberbullying: effects on self-esteem and perceived stress and the role of communication with the mother

This study investigated the effects of victimization by cyberbullying and communication with the mother in the prediction of self-esteem and perceived stress of adolescents. Participants were 489 adolescents aged 11-17 (56,4 % male) drawn from two public schools in Valencia (Spain). Statistical analyses revealed that both victimization by cyberbullying and communication with the mother are associated with self-esteem and perceived stress, and that good communication with the mother does not have a protective effect on these associations. Furthermore, victimization by cyberbullying has a negative effect on adolescents who report good communication with their mother and raises their stress level to that of adolescents who report communication problems with their mother. The results and their implications are discussed.