Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: In the body of research that has been conducted with the aim of finding factors affecting the reactions of bystanders of
Introduction: Extensive research has explored the factors influencing bystander responses to cyberbullying, yet the relationship between the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander and its impact on bystander intervention remains inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the interactive effects of the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander on the bystander’s helping intention and tendency to blame the victim. 
Method: This study employed an experimental design, manipulating the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander within a simulated cyberbullying scenario. Participants were college students from Tehran and Hormozghan Universities during the second semester of 2003–2004. A sample of 601 students was recruited via an online advertisement on social media. Participants completed post-test measures, including scales for bystander helping intention and victim blaming, through an online survey platform. Data were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS 27, with a significance level of 0.05. 
Results: The findings revealed a nuanced and dynamic relationship between gender and both victim blaming and bystander helping intention. Notably, female victims received higher blame attribution, while male victims were associated with lower bystander intentions to help (p < 0.05). 
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of accounting for gender-related complexities when designing prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of cyberbullying.