Psychological Resilience and Behavioral Strategies in Conflict Situations Among Adolescents in the Context of Cyberbullying

The contemporary digital environment has intensified adolescent’s exposure to cyberbullying, making psychological resilience and behavioral strategies in conflict situations particularly salient. The present study examined the relationship between psychological resilience and behavioral strategies in conflict among adolescents within the context of cyberbullying. Grounded in Maddis theory of resilience and the Thomas “Kilmann conflict-handling model, the study explored gender- and age-related differences as well as associations between resilience and conflict behavior. The sample consisted of 158 adolescents (64.6% female; M age = 14.77) attending public and private schools. Psychological resilience was assessed using the Personal Views Survey III“R, while behavioral strategies in conflict were measured with the Thomas “Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Adolescents knowledge and perceptions of cyberbullying were evaluated through a researcher-designed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses. The results indicated that boys demonstrated significantly higher levels of overall resilience and its components” commitment, control, and challenge” compared to girls. Girls reported more frequent use of avoidance as a conflict strategy. Higher levels of resilience were positively associated with collaboration and compromise strategies and negatively associated with avoidance. No statistically significant age-related differences were identified. The findings highlight psychological resilience as a key regulatory resource shaping adolescent’s behavioral responses to conflict situations related to cyberbullying. The study underscores the importance of resilience-oriented prevention and intervention programs aimed at promoting adaptive conflict management strategies in digital contexts.