Which mental health outcomes are commonly linked to cyberbullying in adolescents?

• A. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem
• B. No mental health impact
• C. Increased self-esteem
• D. Improved academic performance

Answer: (A)

This item is about how cyberbullying affects adolescents’ mental health. Research consistently finds that being targeted online is linked to emotional distress and struggles with self-worth. The most common mental health concerns seen in teens who experience cyberbullying are anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The online harassment can be persistent and pervasive, leading to chronic stress, rumination about the abuse, social withdrawal, and fear of peers, all of which contribute to anxious and depressive symptoms and undermine how teens view themselves.

Other options don’t fit because cyberbullying typically does not leave mental health impact completely absent, nor does it generally boost self-esteem or improve functioning. While some individuals might show resilience in certain areas, the pattern most supported by evidence is increased anxiety and depression along with reduced self-worth, not the opposite or unrelated outcomes like better academics.