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Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey
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About Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey
Scale Name
Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey
Author Details
Justin W. Patchin and Sameer Hinduja
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey (COAS), developed by Patchin and Hinduja (2006) and refined by Hinduja and Patchin (2009), is a 52-item self-report measure designed to assess cyberbullying experiences among youth aged 12–17 years. Initially introduced in Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice (2006) and further detailed in Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard (2009), the COAS includes two primary subscales: Cyberbullying Victimization (e.g., receiving mean or hurtful comments online) and Cyberbullying Offending (e.g., posting harmful content or harassing others online), with additional items addressing bystander experiences (e.g., witnessing cyberbullying). The survey captures various forms of cyberbullying, including online harassment, threats, and relational aggression via digital platforms like social media, texts, or emails.
Participants rate the frequency of experiences over the past 30 days on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “Never” to 4 = “Many times”). Subscale scores range from 0–27 for each, with higher scores indicating greater victimization or perpetration. The COAS was validated with over 15,000 U.S. middle and high school students (mean age ≈ 14 years, ~50% female) across multiple studies, showing that 20–40% reported cyberbullying victimization and 10–20% admitted to perpetration. The survey correlates with psychosocial outcomes like depression (r ≈ 0.30–0.50), anxiety (r ≈ 0.25–0.45), and suicidal ideation (r ≈ 0.20–0.40). It is used in school psychology and public health to assess cyberbullying prevalence, identify at-risk youth, and inform prevention strategies.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the survey from Patchin and Hinduja (2006), Hinduja and Patchin (2009), or authorized sources like the Cyberbullying Research Center, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (aged 12–17) that the questionnaire assesses online experiences, including cyberbullying and witnessing behaviors, emphasizing anonymity and honest responses.
- Administer the 52-item survey in a classroom or controlled setting, using paper or digital formats, with instructions to rate frequency of experiences over the past 30 days.
- Estimated completion time is 15–20 minutes.
- Ensure a distraction-free environment; adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The COAS demonstrates acceptable psychometric properties (Patchin & Hinduja, 2006; Hinduja & Patchin, 2009). Internal consistency is reported as: Victimization subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74) and Offending subscale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76), with later studies showing higher reliability (Victimization: 0.86–0.93; Offending: 0.79–0.96) based on samples of thousands of students.
Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but inferred as moderate (r ≈ 0.65–0.80 over 4–6 weeks) from similar self-report measures. Convergent validity is supported by correlations with traditional bullying scales (e.g., Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument, r ≈ 0.40–0.60) and mental health measures (e.g., depression, r ≈ 0.30–0.50). Predictive validity is evidenced by associations with reduced self-esteem, school safety concerns, and suicidal behavior (r ≈ 0.20–0.45).
Discriminant validity is shown by weak correlations with unrelated constructs like academic achievement (r < 0.20). The two-factor structure (Victimization and Offending) was confirmed via factor analysis, with bystander items often analyzed separately. Pairing with measures like the Bully Survey (Swearer et al., 2008) or the School Relationships Questionnaire (Wolke et al., 2000) enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
52-Items
Reference
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at cyberbullying. Youth violence and juvenile justice, 4(2), 148-169.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2014). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Corwin press.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey measure?
It measures cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and bystander experiences.
Who is the target population?
Youth aged 12–17 years in school settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 15–20 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it identifies cyberbullying patterns to guide prevention and intervention programs.
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