Please browse responsibly: A correlational examination of technology access and time spent online in the Barlett Gentile Cyberbullying Model

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 92; pp. 250 - 255
• Main Authors: Barlett, Christopher P., Madison, Cory S., Heath, J. Bailey, DeWitt, Caroline C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adults; Attitudes; Barlett Gentile Cyberbullying Model; Bullying; Correlation; Cyberbullying; Technology; Barlett Gentile Cyberbullying Model; Technology; Cyberbullying
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.11.013

The current research examined the plausibility of adding participant age, time spent online and perceptions of country technology access to the Barlett Gentile Cyberbullying Model (BGCM) – a theoretical model used to predict cyberbullying perpetration. One hundred and sixty-four US adults completed questionnaires that assessed the aforementioned variables and measures for cyberbullying behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions. Path modeling results showed that the postulates of the original derivation of the BGCM were supported. Possibly extending the model, additional results showed that cyberbullying attitudes and perpetration were both negatively correlated with perceptions of country technology access and positively correlated with time online. We discuss these results in terms of theory development. •Tested the plausibility of expanding the Barlett Gentile Cyberbullying Model (BGCM).•A correlational design had adult participant's complete cyberbullying-related questionnaires.•Path modeling showed that original derivation of the BGCM was validated.•Time spent online showed to be an important potential addition to the BGCM.