Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: Correlations with Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidality

J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Oct;49(10):4170-4180. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04060-7.

Abstract

The present study examined the associations between cyberbullying involvement and sociodemographic characteristics, autistic social impairment and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms in 219 adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, the associations between cyberbullying involvement and depression, anxiety, and suicidality were also examined. Adolescents self-reported higher rates of being a victim or perpetrator of cyberbullying than were reported by their parents. Increased age and had more severe ODD symptoms were significantly associated with being victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying. Being a victim but not a perpetrator of cyberbullying was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration should be routinely surveyed in adolescents with high-functioning ASD.

Keywords: Anxiety; Autism spectrum disorder; Cyberbullying; Depression; Suicidality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cyberbullying / psychology
  • Cyberbullying / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents
  • Self Report
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*