Cyber Bullying in Undergrad Students of Health Science Programs

Abstract

Objective: A survey research aimed to study the prevalence and patterns of cyber bullying in health science undergrad students.

Materials and methods: The research samples were undergrad students in health science programs of a university in Bangkok. The questionnaire being used in this research was developed by the researchers, which included 1) 7 questions, asking for general information and characteristics of the cyber bullying, and 2) 35 questions, based on 6 patterns of cyber bullying. The results were statisticallyanalyzed by percentage and frequency

Results: There were 18.8 % of 130 participants who were cyber-bullied or have been cyber-bullied. 91.7 % of them recognized the bullies. 70.5 % of the amount reported being bullied via Facebook, while 45.8 % referred to Instagram. In term of frequency, the most used platform for the bully was Facebook (45.8%) and Instagram (41.7%). In contrast, Line and Twitter were found very differently as 8.3 and 4.2%. In addition, the cyber bullying pattern of verbal threats and rude language was found in 34.5%. The blackmail was found in 24.1%. No bullying pattern of sexual harassment was found from the
sample group.

Conclusion: The prevalence of cyber bullying in the sample group was 18.5%, considered high. This finding should be in cautions because it represented the possibility for mental health problems in future
health science professionals.