Behind The Screen: Cyber Harassment and Its Psychological Impact Among Young Adults

Abstract

The increasing use of social media and digital communication platforms has contributed to a rise in cyber harassment, making it a significant concern for the psychological well-being of young adults. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between cyber harassment, anxiety, and body dissatisfaction among young adults. Specifically, the study investigated whether cyber harassment significantly predicts these psychological outcomes and whether gender differences exist in cyber harassment experiences. This study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational research design. The sample consisted of 300 young adults (146 males and 154 females) recruited through convenience sampling from various universities. Data were collected using a demographic information sheet, the Cyber Harassment Experience Scale (CHES) by Ayub and Malik (2024), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A)  by Hamilton (1959), and the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) by Mendelson, White, and Mendelson (1997). Regression analyses indicated that cyber harassment significantly predicted anxiety, accounting for 46% of the variance, F(1, 298) = 254.15, p < .001, and body dissatisfaction, accounting for 55.9% of the variance, F(1, 298) = 377.30, p < .001. Furthermore, female participants reported significantly higher levels of cyber harassment than male participants, t(298) = -12.00, p < .001, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.39). The findings suggest that cyber harassment is strongly associated with adverse psychological outcomes among young adults and serves as a significant predictor of anxiety and body dissatisfaction. The study highlights the need for digital safety awareness, mental health interventions, and policies aimed at preventing cyber harassment and promoting psychological well-being among young adults.