The bidirectional relationships between cyberbullying and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

The significant relationship between cyberbullying and depression has attracted research attention; however, most previous meta-analyses have been cross-sectional and focused on youth. This study used a meta-analytic framework to examine the longitudinal effects between cyberbullying and depression in the general population (including children, adolescents, and adults). The moderating factors that influence these effects were also studied. A total of 35 longitudinal studies that examined the relationship between cyberbullying and depression were included. Results supported a bidirectional relationship between cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) and depression with small effects for both: cyberbullying perpetration to depression, r cp→d = 0.148 and depression to cyberbullying perpetration, r d→cp = 0.182; cyberbullying victimization to depression, r cv→d = 0.246 and depression to cyberbullying victimization, r d→cv = 0.229. Additional moderator analyses took into account age, sex, and study interval (months). The relationship from cyberbullying victimization to depression and the relationship from depression to cyberbullying victimization was significantly moderated by age, but not by sex and study interval. Implications for interventions to reduce the risk of cyberbullying and depression are discussed. • Cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization) predicted subsequent depression. • Depression also predicted cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization). • Age moderated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and depression. • The bidirectional relationship was consistent across sex and study interval.