Lived Experiences and Meaning-Making of Cyberbullying Among Public Figures in Digital Communication
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Abstract
The rapid expansion of social media has transformed the way individuals communicate, construct digital identities, and manage public visibility. Amid this shift, cyberbullying against public figures has become a pressing challenge with limited scholarly attention, especially regarding how they interpret and respond to such harassment. This study employs an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of public figures facing cyberbullying, emphasizing their meaning-making and adaptive strategies. Semi-structured interviews with eight participants were thematically analyzed to reveal how they confront emotional turbulence, identity negotiation, and reputation management. The findings show that while cyberbullying threatens psychological well-being and professional credibility, public figures develop distinctive strategies such as selective self-disclosure, narrative reframing, and strategic silence. By foregrounding subjective experiences, this research contributes a novel perspective on digital identity negotiation and resilience among public figures. It highlights theoretical implications for communication studies and practical insights for public relations, mental health support, and digital governance.
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