Tansian University Journal of Arts, Management & Social Sciences

This study examined cyberbullying and students’ perceived academic and mental health outcomes at the University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on General Strain Theory, which explains how exposure to stressors and negative stimuli may produce harmful coping responses and victimization outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The study population was 13,524 undergraduate students in the 2024/2025 academic session, and a sample size of 389 was derived using Taro Yamane’s formula. Using a systematic field-selection procedure, questionnaires were administered to students across academic locations and time periods. In all, 330 properly completed copies were retained for analysis. The instrument contained sections on socio-demographic characteristics, cyberbullying exposure platforms, perceived academic effects, and perceived mental health effects. Face and content validity were established through expert review, while internal consistency was strengthened through item harmonisation and pilot refinement. Data were analysed with frequencies and percentages because the available dataset supported a descriptive interpretation of students’ reported experiences and perceptions. The findings showed that WhatsApp was the most frequently reported platform of cyberbullying exposure (62.4%). A large majority of respondents also perceived that cyberbullying adversely affected academic performance (90.9%) and mental health (90.9%). The study concludes that cyberbullying constitutes a serious student-welfare concern in the study area. It therefore recommends institutional digital-safety education, confidential reporting pathways, counselling support, and enforceable anti-cyberbullying regulations within the university.

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