The study's aim was to obtain an overview of all relevant variables involved in ineffective coping behavior and improvement in coping behavior as it pertains to cyberbullying among adolescents, in order to systematically develop a theory- and evidence-based intervention. This was done by means of a three round online Delphi study. First, 20 key experts listed possible relevant determinants. Next, 70 experts scored these determinants on their relevance and finally, experts rerated relevance of each determinant based on group median scores. The experts agreed that 115 items are relevant for ineffective (62) or improvement in (53) coping behavior. New found determinants were the extent to which one can adjust behavior upon feedback, impulsivity, self-confidence, communication style, personality, decision-making skills, conflict resolution skills, previous participation in personal resilience training, social relationships, rumors and self-disclosure. We conclude that the Delphi technique is useful in discovering new and relevant determinants of behavior.
Results
The results of the first, second, and third rounds on determinants for ineffective and improvement in coping are presented in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. In total, over the course of three rounds, participants agreed on 62 items as relevant predictors of ineffective coping of cyberbully victims and 53 items as relevant predictors of improvement in coping (Mdn ≥ 8). For ineffective coping, the largest category was environmental determinants (24), followed closely by psychological determinants (23), then, to a much lesser extent, personal and behavioral determinants (13), and, lastly, social demographic determinants (2). Among the most relevant predictors were psychological (i.e. a predisposition toward passive or emotion-focused coping, knowledge of coping strategies), personal and behavioral (i.e. social skills, previous victimization, isolation), and environmental determinants (i.e. social support from peers and parents). For improvement in coping, the category to which most determinants were assigned was the category of psychological determinants (23), followed similarly by environmental determinants (18), then personal and behavioral determinants (11), and, lastly, social demographic determinants (1). Among the most relevant predictors for improvement were psychological (i.e. outcome expectations, self-esteem), personal and behavioral (i.e. mental health state, social skills), and environmental determinants (i.e. social support from various actors including parents). For a complete overview, see Tables 1 and 2.
Lastly, consensus increased significantly from the second to the third round for both the determinants of ineffective coping (z = −6.373; p = .000) and the determinants of improvement in coping (z = −6.102; p = .000).
