UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in US early adolescents

Cheng, CM; Chu, J; Ganson, KT; Trompeter, N; Testa, A; Jackson, DB; He, J; ... Nagata, JM; + view all (2023) Cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in US early adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders 10.1002/eat.24034. (In press). Green open access

[thumbnail of Intl J Eating Disorders - 2023 - Cheng.pdf]
Preview
Text
Intl J Eating Disorders - 2023 - Cheng.pdf - Published Version

Download (946kB) | Preview

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in a national sample of 10–14-year-old early adolescents. / Method: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (Year 2, 2018–2020, N = 10,258/11,875, 49% female, 46% non-White). Data were collected using multi-stage probability sampling. Modified Poisson regression analyses examined the association between cyberbullying and self-reported eating disorder symptoms based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5). / Results: Cyberbullying victimization was associated with worry about weight gain (prevalence ratio [PR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–3.91), self-worth tied to weight (PR 2.08, 95% CI 1.33–3.26), inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.57–2.42), binge eating (PR 1.95, 95% CI 1.59–2.39), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.64, 95% CI 1.94–3.59), in models adjusting for potential confounders. Cyberbullying perpetration was associated with worry about weight gain (PR 3.52, 95% CI 1.19–10.37), self-worth tied to weight (PR 5.59, 95% CI 2.56–12.20), binge eating (PR 2.36, 95% CI 1.44–3.87), and distress with binge eating (PR 2.84, 95% CI 1.47–5.49). / Discussion: Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration in early adolescence are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Clinicians may consider assessing for cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescence and provide anticipatory guidance. / Public Significance Statement: Eating disorders often onset in adolescence and have among the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder. In addition, cyberbullying has increased in prevalence among adolescents and significantly impacts mental health. In a national study of early adolescents, we found that cyberbullying victimization and perpetration are associated with eating disorder symptoms. Screening for and providing anticipatory guidance on cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescents may be warranted.

Type: Article
Title: Cyberbullying and eating disorder symptoms in US early adolescents
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1002/eat.24034
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24034
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Eating Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Keywords: adolescent, binge eating, compensatory behavior, cyberbullying, eating disorder, perpetration, victimization, weight
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10177278
Downloads since deposit
20Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item