University of North Dakota UND Scholarly Commons Theses and Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects January 2016 Adolescent Victims' Experiences With Cyberbullying: A Grounded Theory Study Melvina S. Brandau Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.und.edu/theses Recommended Citation Brandau, Melvina S., "Adolescent Victims' Experiences With Cyberbullying: A Grounded Theory Study" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 1879. https://commons.und.edu/theses/1879 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Senior Projects at UND Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UND Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ADOLESCENT VICTIMS’ EXPERIENCES WITH CYBERBULLYING: A GROUNDED THEORY STUDY by Melvina Sue Brandau Associate of Applied Science, University of Rio Grande, 1999 Bachelor of Science, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2005 Master of Science, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2007 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of North Dakota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Grand Forks, North Dakota May 2016 Copyright 2016 Melvina Brandau ii PERMISSION Title Adolescent Victims’ Experiences with Cyberbullying: A Grounded Theory Study Department College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines Degree Doctor of Philosophy In presenting this dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree from the University of North Dakota, I agree that the library of this University shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for extensive copying for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor who supervised my dissertation work or, in her absence, by the Chairperson of the department or the dean of the School of Graduate Studies. It is understood that any copying or publication or other use of this dissertation or part thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understaood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of North Dakota in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my dissertation. Melvina S. Brandau April 11, 2016 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................1 True Stories ......................................................................................1 Problem Statement………………………………………………. ..2 Purpose Statement ............................................................................4 Specific Aims ...................................................................................5 Approach ..........................................................................................5 Significance ......................................................................................8 Definition of Terms ..........................................................................9 Assumptions ...................................................................................11 Organization of Dissertation ..........................................................11 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................13 Introduction ....................................................................................13 Traditional Bullying .......................................................................13 Cyberbullying ............................................................................... 22 v Summary of the Literature ...............................................................42 III. METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................46 Introduction .....................................................................................46 Qualitative Research ........................................................................46 Symbolic Interactionism ..................................................................48 Grounded Theory .............................................................................51 Grounded Theory Methods ..............................................................60 Data Collection ................................................................................65 Data Analysis ...................................................................................72 Human Subjects Protection ..............................................................77 Trustworthiness ................................................................................82 IV. FINDINGS .................................................................................................88 Introduction ......................................................................................88 Sample ..............................................................................................88 Emerging from Cyberbullying .........................................................89 Context .............................................................................................91 Being Targeted .................................................................................94 Being Cyberbullied ..........................................................................98 Losing Oneself ...............................................................................102 Attempting to Cope ........................................................................104 Resolving .......................................................................................111 vi Finding Oneself ..............................................................................112 Summary of Findings .....................................................................116 V. DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS .......117 Introduction ....................................................................................117 Emerging from Cyberbullying .......................................................117 Discussion ......................................................................................119 Limitations .....................................................................................132 Implications for Policy ...................................................................134 Implications for Practice ................................................................137 Implications for Research ..............................................................141 Implications for Nursing Education ...............................................144 Lessons Learned .............................................................................146 Concluding Remarks ......................................................................153 APPENDICES .................................................................................................................157 Appendix A: Recruitment Flier ......................................................155 Appendix B: Applied Examples of Coding Methods .....................156 Appendix C: Supplemental Web Site .............................................157 Appendix D: Informational Telephone Message ............................161 Appendix E: Screening Script for Potential Participants ................162 Appendix F: Consent Form (Parental or Legal Guardian) ..............163 Appendix G: Minor Participant Assent Form .................................166 vii Appendix H: Consent Form (Adult Participant) .............................168 Appendix I: Demographic Data Questionnaire ...............................171 Appendix J: Interview Guide ..........................................................172 Appendix K: TranscriptionStar Confidentiality Form ....................175 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................178 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Example of Field Note .............................................................................................71 2. Example of Early Memo ..........................................................................................72 3. Example of Later Memo ..........................................................................................72 4. Emerging from Cyberbullying .................................................................................91 ix LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Eriksonian Psychosocial Development ....................................................................36 x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I want to lift up the name of my Almighty God, for without You, I would not have the knowledge or ability to complete such a journey. You have been by my side every step of the way. I pray that I am on the path that you have chosen for me. To my advisor and dissertation committee chair, Dr. Tracy Evanson: We have been on quite the journey!