AUTHOR=Marco Jose H. , Tormo-Irun M. Pilar 

TITLE=Cyber Victimization Is Associated With Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Adolescents

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00987

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00987

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> Technology is constantly evolving in a vast number of fields. In this way, cyber victimization is associated with psychopathology, and body appearance is a primary target of cyberbullies. Thus, the literature demonstrates a clear association between bullying and unhealthy eating behaviors in adolescents. However, studies that have examined the association between cyber victimization and eating disorder psychopathology are scarce.</p><p><bold>Objective:</bold> (1) To analyze whether there are differences in the cyber victimization scores depending on the gender, controlling for age; (2) to analyze whether cyber victimization is negatively associated with eating disorder psychopathology; (3) to analyze whether this association is moderated by the level of Appearance Evaluation.</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> Participants in the present study included 676 adolescents, 367 girls and 309 boys from several cities of Spain. The mean age for the overall sample was 14.28 years (<italic>SD</italic> = 1.65), ranging from 12 to 19. The participants filled out the questionnaires ECIPQ, MBSRQ, and EAT.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Cyber victimization was associated with eating disorders psychopathology, Appearance Evaluation, and Overweight Preoccupation. Appearance Evaluation moderated the association between Cyber victimization and the eating disorder psychopathology.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> It is necessary to assess vulnerability to eating disorders in adolescents who have been victims of cyberbullying.</p>