Cyberbullying Victimization and Suicide Behavior: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Body-Related Comparison Among Young Latina Adults

Author

Monica Elena Ochoa, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Joseph Hovey

Second Advisor

Liza Talavera-Garza

Third Advisor

Michiyo Hirai

Abstract

Suicide behavior rates have increased over the years in the United States among Latinas and adolescents/young adults. Previous research has identified relationships between various body-related concerns, (e.g., body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and body shame) cyberbullying, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation, yet minimal research has examined the relationship of these factors and how they interrelate to explain suicide risk in Latina young adults. This study investigated whether body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and body shame had indirect effects on suicide behaviors through the interaction of cyberbullying victimization in 194 Latina college students. The results of this study found that cyberbullying victimization mediated the relationship between two body-related concerns and suicide behaviors, yet social anxiety did not influence the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and suicide behaviors.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Monica Elena Ochoa. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3292478645

Recommended Citation

Ochoa, M. E. (2025). Cyberbullying Victimization and Suicide Behavior: The Roles of Social Anxiety and Body-Related Comparison Among Young Latina Adults [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1823