Psychological Well-Being Mediates Cyberbullying Victimization and Risky Health Behavior: Public Health Implications for Universities

  • Purwo Setiyo Nugroho Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia
  • Bhubate Samutachak Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • Tawanchai Jirapramukpitak Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • Fatimah Ahmad Fauzi Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Ghozali Ghozali Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur, Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia
  • Aphichat Chamratrithirong Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56338/jphp.v5i2.6044
Keywords: Cyberbullying, Risky Health Behavior, Coping Capacity, Psychological Wellbeing, Undergraduate Student

Abstract

Introduction: Cyberbullying has become a burden in the current digital world and has an impact on health status, including physical and mental health. People try to mitigate these mental health issues through various coping strategies, including engaging in risky health behavior. Such risky health behaviors may have implications for future health status.  Thus, this study aims to examine the prevalence of cyberbullying victimization and elucidate the consequences of cyberbullying victimization on psychological well-being and risky health behavior.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed in this study, with 700 undergraduate students as research participants. The students were randomly selected using proportional stratified and random sampling in a selected university in Samarinda, Indonesia, between January and March 2024. Participants were first-year, second-year, third-year, and fourth-year students. Self-administered data collection using a standard questionnaire for each variable. This study used the Structural Equation Model to analysed the associations between variables.

Results: Cyberbullying victimization affects psychological well-being, which, in turn, influences risky health behaviors. While no direct link was found between cyberbullying and risky health behaviors, psychological well-being fully mediates this relationship. This suggests that the negative impact of cyberbullying on health behaviors occurs through its detrimental effects on psychological well-being, leading to risky health behaviors as coping strategies.

Conclusion: The study reveals significant links between cyberbullying victimization, coping capacity, psychological well-being, and risky health behavior. These findings highlight the importance of effective coping strategies. Future research should focus on enhancing problem-focused coping techniques, which could serve as positive strategies to reduce the negative impact of cyberbullying on psychological health and risky health behaviors.

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Published
2025-07-01
How to Cite
Nugroho, P. S., Bhubate Samutachak, Tawanchai Jirapramukpitak, Fatimah Ahmad Fauzi, Ghozali, G., & Aphichat Chamratrithirong. (2025). Psychological Well-Being Mediates Cyberbullying Victimization and Risky Health Behavior: Public Health Implications for Universities. Journal of Public Health and Pharmacy, 5(2), 351-363. https://doi.org/10.56338/jphp.v5i2.6044
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 2: JULY 2025
Section
Articles

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