A1 Journal article (refereed)
Cyberharassment Victimization on Three Continents : An Integrative Approach (2022)

Mikkola, M., Ellonen, N., Kaakinen, M., Savolainen, I., Sirola, A., Zych, I., Paek, H.-J., & Oksanen, A. (2022). Cyberharassment Victimization on Three Continents : An Integrative Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), Article 12138. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912138

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Mikkola, Marko; Ellonen, Noora; Kaakinen, Markus; Savolainen, Iina; Sirola, Anu; Zych, Izabela; Paek, Hye-Jin; Oksanen, Atte

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 25/09/2022

Volume: 19

Issue number: 19

Article number: 12138

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912138

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83933

Publication is parallel published: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9566085/

Abstract

This article introduces and applies an integrative model of cyberharassment victimization. The model combines routine activity theory (RAT), the general theory of crime (GTC), and the personal resources approach to analyze risk factors for victimization while acknowledging the protective role of a sense of mastery. Survey respondents were aged 15 to 25 years (N = 4816) from the U.S., Finland, Spain, and South Korea. Logistic regression models were used to analyze cyberharassment victimization. RAT-related factors were positively associated with cyberharassment victimization. Low self-control was positively associated with cyberharassment victimization in the U.S., Finland, and Spain but not in South Korea. The sense of mastery was negatively associated with cyberharassment victimization in the U.S., Finland, and South Korea but not in Spain. Protective factors against cyberharassment victimization should be utilized in future studies as adequate knowledge of protective factors could assist policymakers in generating preventative measures against cyberharassment. Our study demonstrates the benefits of integrating criminological theories and protective factors in studies using cross-national data to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of cyberharassment.

Keywords: harassment; cyberbullying; victims; psychosocial factors; self-control; impulsivity; criminology; criminal psychology; international comparison

Free keywords: cyberharassment; victimization; routine activity theory; general theory of crime; sense of mastery

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1