Navigating Cyberspace: Defending Self-Efficacy, Empathy, and Teacher Support as Protective Factors Against Cyberbullying Among Malaysian Youths With Visual Impairments.

This study examines the prevalence and dynamics of cyberbullying among Malaysian youths with visual impairments, focusing on their roles as victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. Among 199 participants, 50.2% reported acting as cyber bystanders, 47.2% experienced cyber victimization, and 10.6% engaged in cyber perpetration, with most incidents occurring rarely or occasionally. The research identifies defending self-efficacy, empathic self-efficacy, and perceived social support from teachers as protective factors that reduce cyberbullying experiences, with teachers’ support mediating the relationship between self-efficacy and cyberbullying. The findings highlight the importance of targeted educational programs to build self-efficacy, foster empathy, and empower bystanders, alongside creating supportive environments involving families and educators to mitigate cyberbullying among visually impaired youths.