Victimization via cell phones and the internet and its relationship to depression, anxiety, and stress in university students.

Abstract

This quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional study examined the relationship between direct and indirect victimization and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in 270 students aged 18 to 25. The research used two validated instruments: the mobile phone and internet victimization scale. (CYB-VIC) and DASS-21. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS 26. The findings revealed positive and significant correlations between cyber victimization and the three mental health indicators investigated. These results confirm the alternative hypothesis and underscore that exposure to cyberbullying, whether as a victim or a bystander, impairs psychological well-being.