(PS2-14) Cybervictimization and Social Anxiety: The Moderating Roles of Perceived and Online Social Support

Cybervictimization is of substantial concern among young people given its increasing prevalence and associated negative mental health consequences, including social anxiety (e.g., Marciano et al., 2020). Based on the stress-buffering model, social support may offset the impact of cybervictimization on social anxiety. To date, limited research has explored the stress-buffering role of perceived social support from family and friends in the context of cybervictimization, and results are generally mixed. Even fewer studies have examined the role of online social support, which is perceived support through online interactions, though some evidence indicates that it may be especially beneficial for young adults with social anxiety (Cole et al., 2017). However, no studies have compared the moderating roles of both perceived and online support. Therefore, the present study sought to examine whether perceived and online social support moderate the relationship between cybervictimization and social anxiety among young adults.

A total of 1,510 undergraduates (78.3% female; 51.7% White; Mage = 19.7, SD =2.6) enrolled in a public university in the northeastern United States completed an online survey that included standardized measures of cybervictimization, online social support, perceived social support (from family and friends), and social anxiety.

As age and gender were correlated with social anxiety, they were included in all regression models. Hierarchical regression analyses in SPSS revealed a significant two-way interaction for cybervictimization and perceived friend support (∆R² = .003, F = 4.020, p < .05). Specifically, cybervictimization was associated with greater social anxiety among those with low (t = 4.787, p < .001) but not high friend support (t = 1.197). A significant two-way interaction was also found between cybervictimization and online social support, with social anxiety as the outcome (∆R² = .003, F = 4.030, p < .05). Surprisingly, cybervictimization was more strongly associated with social anxiety among young adults who reported high (t = 2.143, p < .05) but not low (t = 5.587, p < .001) levels of online support. However, no interactions were observed between cybervictimization and family support.

Findings suggest that social support from friends may buffer the effects of cybervictimization on social anxiety among young adults. In contrast, results demonstrated a “reverse stress-buffering effect” for online social support, as it appeared to exacerbate the relationship between cybervictimization and social anxiety. Perhaps substantial online social support could lead young adults experiencing cybervictimization to focus more, and even ruminate, on their online stressors, which could contribute to social anxiety. Alternatively, those with social anxiety may be prone to seeking online support when experiencing cybervictimization. Although longitudinal study is needed to examine the directionality of these findings, they may provide support for developing interventions aimed at increasing social support from friends among young adults who have experienced cybervictimization.