Institutional Ethical Climate, Bullying, and Mental Health: Evidence from Brazilian Undergraduates
Resumo
This study examined whether the institutional ethical climate and its dimensions predict reduced bullying and cyberbullying victimization and whether such victimization affects students’ well-being, anxiety, and depression. Participants were 413 undergraduates (mean age = 24.50, SD = 8.94) from a public university in Southern Brazil. Structural equation modeling revealed that three climate dimensions significantly predicted bullying victimization: perceived institutional safety and embracement of diversity (negative effects) and institutional violence indicators (positive effect). None of the eight climate dimensions significantly predicted cyberbullying victimization. Bullying victimization moderately predicted increased anxiety and depression and decreased well-being. Cyberbullying victimization also had moderate effects on mental health indicators—positively associated with well-being but negatively with anxiety and depression, indicating a contradictory pattern. Findings highlight the institutional ethical climate as a protective factor against violence. They also underscore the importance of policies fostering safe, inclusive, and diversity-oriented academic environments to support mental health and reduce victimization.
Palavras-chave
Campus climate, Policies, Morale, CyberbullyingReferências
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