Exploring the Factors Influencing Gifted Adolescents’ Resistance to Report Experiences of Cyberbullying Behavior: Toward an Improved Understanding

Academically gifted adolescents frequently experience cyberbullying behavior. Successful intervention and prevention of such bullying is, to a large degree, dependent on such incidents being reported to an adult caregiver. However, research shows that adolescents who have experienced cyberbullying tend not to inform parents or teachers. Despite this fact, little attention has been paid to understanding the factors underlying such reporting resistance and consequently the reasons for nonreporting remain undetermined. This study explored Irish gifted adolescents’ resistance to reporting their experiences of cyberbullying behavior. Key reasons for nonreporting included the framing of decisions based on the concepts of self-efficacy, control, perceived risks, the influence of prior reporting experiences, and influence of gender and age on reporting response. The results provide insights that will assist parents, teachers, and all those involved in the formulation of anti-bullying school policies in their attempts to increase adolescent reporting and thereby counter cyberbullying behavior