Cyberbullying is a significant problem throughout the United States. In response to cyberbullying, youth may choose to engage in or avoid help-seeking behaviors, and their individual characteristics such as age, gender, frequency of victimization, and race and ethnicity may influence those decisions. School-level variables, including antibullying policies, may also impact help-seeking behaviors. However, few studies have empirically assessed their effects. Moreover, few recent studies have examined these factors for youth in rural schools. This study concurrently evaluated individual and school-level predictors of help-seeking behaviors among rural youth. Consistent with some previous research, the current study found that gender, racial/ethnic status, and grade level predicted help-seeking. Conversely, frequency of victimization and antibullying policies were not significant predictors. Overall, the findings suggest the need for schools to encourage and facilitate help-seeking for cyberbullying victimization. Implications for school policies, prevention and intervention programming are discussed.
(Publisher abstract provided.)