School Programs to Combat Cyberbullying and Promote Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review, 2020–2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70171/v14a6n42Keywords:
bullying, adolescence, well-being, cyberbullying, mental healthAbstract
Justification: Cyberbullying is a form of digital violence associated with behavioral and psychosocial consequences in adolescents, which has driven the development of school-based programs with mixed results. Objective: To synthesize the evidence published between 2020 and 2026 on the effects of school-based or institution-linked programs on cybervictimization, cyberperpetration, cyberaggression, and related psychosocial outcomes in students aged 11 to 18 years. Methodology: A systematic review with a narrative synthesis was conducted. Searches in PubMed and Scopus identified 656 records; after screening and eligibility assessment, 13 reports were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, 2018 version. Results: The programs showed favorable reductions in certain behavioral outcomes and improvements in self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping, victim advocacy, school climate, and mental health. Effects conditioned by prior victimization, null results, and benefits that were not sustained during follow-up were also observed. Conclusion: It was concluded that school-based interventions can help reduce cyberbullying, although their effectiveness depends on the intervention type, adherence, duration, fidelity of implementation, and student characteristics. It was recommended to integrate universal prevention, selective supports, and therapeutic care through sustained, multi-component school-based responses.
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