Which healthy lifestyle factors are associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation among adolescents faced with cyberbullying?

Publication date: August 2018Source: Preventive Medicine, Volume 113Author(s): M. Rodelli, I. De Bourdeaudhuij, E. Dumon, G. Portzky, A. DeSmetAbstractCyberbullying is associated with negative mental health outcomes including adolescent suicidal ideation. This requires effective and accessible preventive efforts. Healthy lifestyles are factors adolescents themselves can modify that may lower their risk of suicidal ideation. The aim of this study was to examine associations between physical activity, (outdoor) sport participation, a healthy diet, higher sleep duration and low levels of smoking and alcohol use, and suicidal ideation when faced with cyberbullying. A cross-sectional survey was administered in 2014–2015 to 1037 adolescents (12–18 years, M age = 15; 50% girls) in Flanders, Belgium. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess direct effects of cyberbullying involvement (victim, perpetrator, bystander) on suicidal ideation, and interaction effects between cyberbullying involvement, healthy lifestyles and suicidal ideation. Results showed that cyberbullying victimization, perpetration and bystanding were associated with higher suicidal ideation, but that the association with cyberbullying perpetration disappeared when corrected for other cyberbullying involvement forms. More physical activity, sleeping longer, more often taking a healthy diet and lower levels of smoking were associated with lower suicidal ideation. Some associations of healthy life...
Source: Preventive Medicine - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research