Relationship between cyber bullying, alexithymia, and psychological distress among university students

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the relationship between Cyber bullying, Alexithymia, and Psychological distress among university students. The sample selected (N=140) consisted of 75 males and 65 females with the age range 18 to 22 years with M= 20.99 and SD= 1.08. The scale used in the study were Toronto Alexithymia scale-20 with alpha .81 consisting of three subscales difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking with alpha .78, .75, and .71 respectively. Revised Cyber bullying inventory (RCBI) with alpha .75 consisting of two subscales cyber victimization and cyber bullying having alpha .73 and .81 respectively. And Kesseler psychological distress scale-10 with alpha .92 was used. The results of the study indicated a positive significant relationship between Cyber bullying, Alexithymia, and Psychological distress. Gender differences were found as males were more involved in cyber bullying than females. It was revealed that bachelor’s degree program student had more difficulty in identifying feelings than students enrolled in master degree program. The result also showed that cyber bullying is a predictor of psychological distress.