Understanding the pathway from cyberbullying to suicidal ideation: Depression as a mediating factor

Cyberbullying and suicidal ideation are ongoing social issues in Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence between cyberbullying and suicide ideation, as well as the role of depression as a mediator variable. A quantitative research approach was used, and 454 adolescents in Indonesia aged between 18 to 25 years old (mean age = 19.3) were recruited through a purposive sampling by completing a questionnaire consisting of the Cyberbullying Survey (CBS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II), General Help Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). The Jamovi 2.5.3.0 software analyzed data through descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and mediator analysis. The findings of the study showed that there was a significant effect on the role of depression as a mediator in the relationship between cyberbullying and suicidal ideation. Additionally, 384 (84.6%) of the female respondents reported having experienced cyberbullying, compared to only 70 (15.4%) of the male respondents. Depression as a mediator variable has a partially mediated effect. The effective indirect contribution is 59.7%. Other variables account for 40.3% of the results. The findings revealed that depression serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and suicidal ideation. This study provides critical insights into the role of depression in the context of cyberbullying and offers proactive guidance for preventing the negative mental health impacts of cyberbullying among adolescents.