Is Cybervictimization Associated with Body Dissatisfaction, Depression, and Eating Disorder Psychopathology?

Studies carried out in nonclinical samples have found an association between cyberbullying victimization and eating disorder (ED) psychopathology (negative emotions, low self-esteem, unhealthy eating behaviors, and body dissatisfaction); however, these previous studies were carried out with participants without an ED diagnosis. To extend the knowledge in this area of research, we aim to confirm these associations in two different samples: on the one hand, a sample composed of participants with ED diagnoses and, on the other hand, a sample composed of participants at high risk of ED. In study 1, the sample was composed of 80 participants diagnosed with EDs: 41.2 percent, n = 33, matched bulimia nervosa criteria; 33.8 percent, n = 27, matched anorexia nervosa restrictive criteria; and 25 percent, n = 20, matched eating disorder not otherwise specified. In study 2, the sample was composed of 156 participants at high risk of ED (elite athletes, both men and women). In both samples, the results indicated that cyberbullying victimization was positively correlated with ED psychopathology and depression. The model consisting of gender, body mass index, appearance evaluation, depression, and cyberbullying victimization was a significant predictor of ED psychopathology. This study suggests that cyberbullying victimization is a predictor of eating behaviors, attitudes, and symptoms associated with ED.