The Long-Term Efficacy and Sustainability of the Tabby Improved Prevention and Intervention Program in Reducing Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization

Anna Sorrentino; Francesco Sulla; Margherita Santamato; Annarosa Cipriano; Stefania Cella

doi:10.3390/ijerph20085436

The Long-Term Efficacy and Sustainability of the Tabby Improved Prevention and Intervention Program in Reducing Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Apr 7;20(8):5436. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085436.

Authors

Anna Sorrentino¹, Francesco Sulla², Margherita Santamato¹, Annarosa Cipriano³, Stefania Cella³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.
² Department of Human Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.
³ Observatory on Eating Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy.

Abstract

Although cyberbullying and cybervictimization prevention programs have proved effective in the short term, their effectiveness remains unclear in the long run. Thus, the present study evaluated the long-term effects of the Tabby Improved Prevention and Intervention Program (TIPIP). Participants were 475 middle and high school students (Mage = 12.38; SD = 1.45; F = 241, 51%), of whom, 167 were in the Experimental Group (EG; Mage = 13.15; SD = 1.52; M = 51.5%), and 308 were in the Control Group (CG; Mage = 13.47; SD = 1.35; M = 47.7%). Students completed measures assessing cyberbullying and cybervictimization at three time points: baseline (T1), immediately after the intervention (6 months, T2), and at 1 year (T3). The results showed no significant effects of the TIPIP in reducing both cyberbullying and cybervictimization over time. Overall, our results confirm the lack of effectiveness of long-term preventive programs and emphasize that different curricula should be implemented in future programs to prevent and manage cyberbullying and cybervictimization, also taking into account psychological mechanisms and processes involved in such behaviors.

Keywords: cyberbullying; cybervictimization; long-term assessment; prevention programs sustainability.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bullying* / prevention & control
Bullying* / psychology
Control Groups
Crime Victims* / psychology
Cyberbullying* / psychology
Humans
Students / psychology

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Young Researcher Grant initiative of the University of Study of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’ (Project name: Train Youngsters’ Capability to Halt and Eliminate Aggressive and VIolent Relationships - TYCHE_AVIR).