Gender Differences in Coping Strategies of Cyberbullying of University Students in Thailand: The Role of Socio-Emotional Skills

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to study online usage behavior, cyberbullying experiences and perceived effective coping strategies of cyberbullying of Thai university students. In addition, this study investigated whether there are differences in online usage behavior, cyberbullying experiences, and chosen coping strategies between gender in relation to socio-emotional skills. The population of this study was university students who were 18-25 years of age. This study employed cross-sectional design and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The final sample was 396, comprising of 206 male students and 190 female students. The statistical analysis included percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test and t-test. The analysis indicated that there was no difference between male and female students in online usage behavior and cyberbullying experiences reporting cyberbully perpetrators, cyberbully victims and bystanders. There was no difference between male and female students in ignorance and technology use as coping strategies. However, male students tended to perceive direct reaction as a coping strategy of cyberbullying more than female students. On the other hand, female students tended to perceive support seeking as a coping strategy more than male students. The findings help promote understanding of the role of socio-emotional skills on cyberbullying handling, which may assist in prevention and coping when dealing with cyberbully. There should be a socio–emotional development program that aims to foster social and emotional skills within universities to improve the quality of interpersonal relationships and reduce conflicts between peers.