Sunny O'Leary

Education: Majoring in Psychology
Mentor: Chris Barlett, Ph.D.
Project: Correlations of Doomscrolling and Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying and doomscrolling are online behaviors that research has shown to negatively affect emerging adults. Common correlations are present between these two behaviors, necessitating further research on the relationship between cyberbullying and doomscrolling and the mediating factors. We conducted correlational research with a U.S. adult sample via CloudConnect and found positive correlations between doomscrolling and cyberbullying as well as time spent online, negative social media content, FOMO, anxiety, and social media addiction. 69% of the sample reported engagement in doomscrolling, and serial mediation analysis displayed time spent online to predict cyberbullying perpetration through negative social media content and doomscrolling mediation. This research provides a strong basis for future investigation and action in the mitigation of doomscrolling and cyberbullying.