Differential neural responses to body image-related cyberbullying in adolescent females
Files
(Published version)
Date
2025
Authors
Prince, T.
Levenstein, J.M.
Driver, C.
Mulgrew, K.E.
Mills, L.
Boyes, A.
Shan, Z.
McLoughlin, L.T.
Hermens, D.F.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
NeuroImage, 2025; 314:1-11
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Body image-related cyberbullying (BRC), which targets an individual's body shape, weight, and/or size, is associated with body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviours among adolescent females. However, its neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined neural responses to BRC stimuli in 26 females (14–18 years; Mage = 15.54) from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study. BRC stimuli elicited greater BOLD responses in regions implicated in emotional regulation (insula, anterior cingulate cortex), visual processing (lateral occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus), and social cognition (temporal pole, angular gyrus). Adolescents with recent cyberbullying experiences exhibited greater BOLD responses in the parahippocampal gyrus and lateral occipital cortex, whereas those without body dissatisfaction showed greater responses in the caudate and amygdala. Longitudinally, increased cyberbullying perpetration was associated with greater BOLD responses in the angular and middle temporal gyri. These findings provide insights into neurobiological pathways through which BRC may influence adolescent brain function and mental health.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2025 The Authors. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Access Condition Notes: This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license