Cyberbullying, sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida em jovens adultas ativas politicamente

Abstract

This study focuses on cyberbullying as a form of gender-based violence, with particular emphasis on politically active young women. In a context marked by increasing digitalization and persistent structural gender inequalities, this phenomenon constitutes an obstacle to women's full participation in the political sphere. It severely impacts the mental health of victims and is often associated with depressive symptoms and a poorer quality of life. The main objective of the study was to describe the exposure to cyberbullying among young Portuguese women active in politics, aged between 18 and 35, to explore its association with depressive symptoms and quality of life, and to identify associated factors. To this end, an online questionnaire was developed and applied, consisting of standardized scales, including the Left-Right Political Scale, the Cyberbullying-Victimization Questionnaire (CBQ-V), the Cyber-harassment Assessment Scale (CHAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the 12- Item Short Form Survey (SF-12). The study involved 91 women. The data collected was analyzed using IBMⓇ SPSSⓇ Statistics software, using bivariate and inferential analysis (multiple regression models). The results suggest a high prevalence of cyberbullying (69%), which is significantly associated with more frequent depressive symptoms and a lower quality of mental life, regardless of age, education, marital status, or political position. These results highlight the negative impact of this form of gender-based violence, reinforcing the need for public policies that promote safe digital environments and for mental health professionals trained to integrate this issue into clinical practice.

Date of Award	17 Jul 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Diogo Costa (Supervisor)