What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health, Addiction.

Where was this research published?

Published in Scientific reports on January 16, 2026.

Cyberbullying victims show 219% higher odds of polysubstance use

Q: What did this research study find?

Adolescents who experienced cyberbullying had **3.19 times higher odds of polysubstance use** involving *cannabis*, *alcohol*, and *tobacco* compared to non-victims

Adolescent cyberbullying and polysubstance use: unpacking sex differences.

Scientific reports • January 16, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

This study examined the connection between cyberbullying and substance use among 6,740 high school students in the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey. Researchers found that 13.6% of adolescents experienced cyberbullying in the past year, and these victims showed significantly higher rates of substance use involving alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco. The data revealed a troubling escalation pattern: cyberbullying victims had 45% higher odds of using one substance exclusively, 87% higher odds of dual substance use, and a striking 219% higher odds of polysubstance use (using three or more substances) compared to non-victims.

The study uncovered important sex differences in how cyberbullying relates to substance use patterns. Female adolescents who experienced cyberbullying showed dramatically higher vulnerability, with 324% increased odds of polysubstance use compared to 84% increased odds among males. This suggests that girls may be turning to multiple substances—including cannabis—as a coping mechanism for the emotional distress caused by online harassment at significantly higher rates than boys. The findings highlight that cyberbullying isn't just a social problem but a significant risk factor for substance experimentation and use during adolescence.

These results emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies that address both online harassment and substance use simultaneously, particularly interventions designed specifically for adolescent females. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers should recognize that victims of cyberbullying may be at elevated risk for turning to cannabis and other substances, making early identification and support critical for protecting adolescent mental and physical health in our increasingly digital world.

💡 Key Findings

Adolescents who experienced cyberbullying had 3.19 times higher odds of polysubstance use involving cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco compared to non-victims

High

85%

Female adolescents showed significantly greater vulnerability, with 4.24 times higher odds of polysubstance use after cyberbullying compared to 1.84 times for males

High

82%

13.6% of high school students reported experiencing cyberbullying in the past year, with 17.2% of victims reporting polysubstance use

High

88%

A dose-response pattern emerged: cyberbullying victims showed 45% higher odds for single substance use, 87% for dual use, and 219% for polysubstance use

High

80%

📄 Original Abstract

The rise of social media platforms has heightened cyberbullying among adolescents, closely tied to negative mental health outcomes. Substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco, also remains a significant concern for this population. This study examines the relationship between cyberbullying and substance use, exploring potential sex differences in these associations. We analyzed data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) (n = 6,740 students in grades 9-12). We used multinomial logistic regression models to assess the relationship between past-year cyberbullying and current patterns of substance use (exclusive, dual, and poly), adjusting for sociodemographic factors, screen time, and mental health status. Stratified analyses examined effect modification by sex. Overall, 13.6% of the sample reported experiencing cyberbullying in the past year. Of these adolescents, substance use was reported by 16.4% (exclusive), 12.1% (dual), and 17.2% (poly). Experiencing cyberbullying was associated with increased odds of exclusive (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12-1.89), dual (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.40-2.50), and poly (OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 2.16-4.71) substance use. Sex-stratified models indicated that among females, cyberbullying was associated with increased odds of dual (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.31-2.92) and polysubstance (OR: 4.24, 95% CI: 1.14-2.98) use, which were slightly larger than the odds among males for dual use (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.03-3.34) and significantly larger for polysubstance use (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.14-2.98). This study highlights the importance of addressing both cyberbullying and substance use among adolescents. Sex-sensitive interventions that promote healthier coping mechanisms for emotional distress are essential to reduce the risk of substance use among cyberbullying victims. Further research is needed to explore causal pathways and inform effective prevention strategies. Implications and Contributions Statement: This study demonstrates the association between cyberbullying and exclusive, dual, and polysubstance use among adolescents, particularly in females. These findings emphasize the need for sex-focused interventions targeting both cyberbullying and substance use to mitigate compounded risks to adolescent physical and mental health within digital and social contexts.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Scientific reports
Published: January 16, 2026
PMID: 41545401
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-24108-2

Authors (5)

Maggie K Richardson Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA. maggie.richardson@uky.edu.
Osayande Agbonlahor Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
Joy L Hart Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA.
Meman Diaby Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
Delvon T Mattingly Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.