Acoso y Ciberacoso
Authors: Cepa-Rodríguez Estibaliz , Martxueta Pérez Aitor 
Published: January 2025

LGBTAphobic bullying (B) and cyberbullying (CB) constitute an internationally recognized problem in schools; however, little attention has been paid to the experiences and outcomes of some sexual minority group such as asexual people. This study aims to explore the prevalence of B and CB and their differential impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual and asexual people. It also aims to analyze the differences depending on the time in which it occurs: past or present. The sample is composed of 1,215 LGBA people (48% bullied/cyberbullied) living in Spain (age 17-69, M= 28.22). A self-report survey was used to measure bullying or cyberbullying, health and well-being (anxiety, depression, life satisfaction and self-esteem), and identity development (uncertainty and acceptance). The results confirm the occurrence of traditional bullying (27%), cyberbullying (8%) or their co-occurrence (13%) among the LGBA population and their significant relationship with health problems and identity development. More cases have been found am LGBTAphobic bullying (B) and cyberbullying (CB) constitute an internationally recognized problem in schools; however, little attention has been paid to the experiences and outcomes of some sexual minority group such as asexual people. This study aims to explore the prevalence of B and CB and their differential impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual and asexual people. It also aims to analyze the differences depending on the time in which it occurs: past or present. The sample is composed of 1,215 LGBA people (48% bullied/cyberbullied) living in Spain (age 17-69, M= 28.22). A self-report survey was used to measure bullying or cyberbullying, health and well-being (anxiety, depression, life satisfaction and self-esteem), and identity development (uncertainty and acceptance). The results confirm the occurrence of traditional bullying (27%), cyberbullying (8%) or their co-occurrence (13%) among the LGBA population and their significant relationship with health problems and identity development. More cases have been found among gays and asexuals, although bisexual and asexual identities have significantly greater anxiety and depression levels, including difficulties of satisfaction, self-esteem and identity acceptance. It has also been found that the immediate effects of LGTBAphobia are stronger, but that such LGTBAphobia can also have long-term consequences. These findings confirm that intervention strategies must consider the coexistence of traditional bullying and cyberbullying, as well as including the whole spectrum of identities covered by the LGTBIQA+ umbrella in programs that seek to promote respect for sexual diversity.

El acoso (AT) y el ciberacoso (CA) LGTBAfóbico constituyen una problemática internacionalmente reconocida en las escuelas, aunque poca atención se ha prestado a las experiencias y resultados de colectivos minoritarios como las personas asexuales. Este estudio tiene como objetivo estudiar la prevalencia del AT y el CA y su impacto diferencial en lesbianas, gais, bisexuales y asexuales. Incluso, analizar las diferencias en función del momento temporal en el que ocurre: pasado o presente. La muestra está compuesta por 1215 personas LGBA (48% acosadas y/o ciberacosadas) residentes en España (edad 17-69, M= 28.22). Se utilizó una encuesta auto-informativa para medir el acoso y/o el ciberacoso, la salud y el bienestar (ansiedad, depresión, satisfacción vital y autoestima) y el desarrollo identitario (incertidumbre y aceptación). Los resultados confirman la presencia del acoso tradicional (27%), el ciberacoso (8%) o su aparición conjunta (13%) entre la población LGBA y su significativa relación con problemas de salud y desarrollo identitario. Se han encontrado más casos entre gais y asexuales, aunque son las identidades bisexuales y asexuales las que significativamente tienen mayor ansiedad y depresión, incluso, dificultades de satisfacción, autoestima y aceptación identitaria. Se constata, además, que son más fuertes los efectos inmediatos de la LGTBfobia, pero que la misma puede dejar secuelas a largo plazo. Estos hallazgos permiten confirmar que las estrategias de intervención han de contemplar la coexistencia del acoso tradicional y el ciberacoso, así como incluir todo el espectro de identidades que abarca el paraguas LGTBIQA+ en los programas que tratan de promover el respeto a la diversidad sexual.