Cyber Harassment and Blocked Futures: Predicting the Decline of Career Aspirations Among University Students

The present study investigated the relationship between cyber harassment and career aspirations among university students. A purposive sample of 500 university students, including men and women (aged 18 and above), was taken. Standardized questionnaires were used, including Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey Instrument (2021 version) (Hinduja & Patchin, 2021), Career Aspiration Scale – Revised (Gregor & O’Brien, 2015). Linear regression showed that cyber harassment significantly and negatively predicted career aspirations (β=-0.24, p<.001), suggesting that cyber harassment causes lower career aspirations among university students. These findings highlight the prevalent psychological toll of cyber harassment and emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems within university settings.