@Article{info:doi/10.2196/26029,
author="Kutok, Emily R
and Dunsiger, Shira
and Patena, John V
and Nugent, Nicole R
and Riese, Alison
and Rosen, Rochelle K
and Ranney, Megan L",
title="A Cyberbullying Media-Based Prevention Intervention for Adolescents on Instagram: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Ment Health",
year="2021",
month="Sep",
day="15",
volume="8",
number="9",
pages="e26029",
keywords="cyberbullying; adolescents; mobile application; messaging; brief interventions; social media; recruitment; mobile phone",
abstract="Background: Between 15{\%} and 70{\%} of adolescents report experiencing cybervictimization. Cybervictimization is associated with multiple negative consequences, including depressed mood. Few validated, easily disseminated interventions exist to prevent cybervictimization and its consequences. With over 97{\%} of adolescents using social media (such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat), recruiting and delivering a prevention intervention through social media and apps may improve accessibility of prevention tools for at-risk youth. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of and obtain preliminary outcome data on IMPACT (Intervention Media to Prevent Adolescent Cyber-Conflict Through Technology), a brief, remote app-based intervention to prevent and reduce the effect of cyberbullying. Methods: From January 30, 2020, to May 3, 2020, a national sample of 80 adolescents with a history of past-year cybervictimization was recruited through Instagram for a randomized control trial of IMPACT, a brief, remote research assistant--led intervention and a fully automated app-based program, versus enhanced web-based resources (control). Feasibility and acceptability were measured by consent, daily use, and validated surveys. Although not powered for efficacy, outcomes (victimization, bystander self-efficacy, and well-being) were measured using validated measures at 8 and 16 weeks and evaluated using a series of longitudinal mixed models. Results: Regarding feasibility, 24.5{\%} (121/494) of eligible participants provided contact information; of these, 69.4{\%} (84/121) completed full enrollment procedures. Of the participants enrolled, 45{\%} (36/80) were randomized into the IMPACT intervention and 55{\%} (44/80) into the enhanced web-based resources groups. All participants randomized to the intervention condition completed the remote intervention session, and 89{\%} (77/80) of the daily prompts were answered. The retention rate was 99{\%} (79/80) at 8 weeks and 96{\%} (77/80) at 16 weeks for all participants. Regarding acceptability, 100{\%} (36/36) of the intervention participants were at least moderately satisfied with IMPACT overall, and 92{\%} (33/36) of the participants were at least moderately satisfied with the app. At both 8 and 16 weeks, well-being was significantly higher ($\beta$=1.17, SE 0.87, P=.02 at 8 weeks and $\beta$=3.24, SE 0.95, P<.001 at 16 weeks) and psychological stress was lower ($\beta$=−.66, SE 0.08, P=.04 at 8 weeks and $\beta$=−.89, SE 0.09, P<.001 at 16 weeks) among IMPACT users than among control group users. Participants in the intervention group attempted significantly more bystander interventions than those in the control group at 8 weeks ($\beta$=.82, SE 0.42; P=.02). Conclusions: This remote app-based intervention for victims of cyberbullying was feasible and acceptable, increased overall well-being and bystander interventions, and decreased psychological stress. Our findings are especially noteworthy given that the trial took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of Instagram to recruit adolescents can be a successful strategy for identifying and intervening with those at the highest risk of cybervictimization. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04259216; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04259216. ",
issn="2368-7959",
doi="10.2196/26029",
url="https://mental.jmir.org/2021/9/e26029",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/26029",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34524103"
}