LGBTQphobic Cyberbullying: A Scoping Review (Dataset)

This study presents a scoping review of the scientific literature on LGBTQphobic cyberbullying, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The review aimed to systematically map how LGBTQphobic cyberbullying has been conceptualized, defined, and empirically investigated in the last decade, as well as to identify the main predictors, theoretical frameworks, and explanatory models used in the field.The review covered peer-reviewed empirical and review studies published between 2015 and 2025 in English or Spanish. Searches were conducted in four major international databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) using a comprehensive and sensitive search strategy that combined multiple descriptors of cyberbullying (e.g., cyberbullying, online harassment, digital aggression, cyber victimization) with broad LGBTQIA+ population terms. Studies were included if they addressed cyberbullying motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression as a central outcome or analytical focus in online contexts. Studies focused exclusively on offline bullying, other minority groups, or cyberbullying treated only as an independent variable were excluded.The selection process followed a rigorous two-stage screening procedure (title/abstract screening and full-text assessment), conducted independently by two reviewers with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Data extraction was performed using a standardized spreadsheet and included information on study design, sample characteristics, theoretical frameworks, conceptual definitions, measures, main findings, predictors, and reported limitations. A narrative synthesis with inductive thematic analysis was used to organize and interpret the findings.A total of 37 studies were included, the majority of which were quantitative and cross-sectional, with a strong concentration on adolescent samples in school contexts and in Global North countries. The review revealed substantial conceptual and terminological heterogeneity: most studies did not provide an explicit definition of LGBTQphobic cyberbullying and often relied on general cyberbullying constructs, indirect descriptions, or adjacent concepts such as online victimization, cyberhate, or digital microaggressions. Only a small number of studies offered explicit conceptual or operational definitions tailored to LGBTQIA+ populations.Despite these limitations, the evidence consistently indicates that LGBTQIA+ individuals—particularly bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse, and multiply marginalized youth—are disproportionately exposed to cyberbullying and related forms of digital violence. Reported impacts include robust negative effects on mental health, identity development, well-being, and social participation. Predictors of LGBTQphobic cyberbullying were identified across individual, relational, institutional, and sociocultural levels, with particular emphasis on discrimination, heteronormative norms, school climate, social dominance processes, and social support.The review highlights critical gaps in the literature, including the lack of theoretical integration, limited attention to perpetration and bystander roles, underrepresentation of adults and non-school contexts, and widespread reliance on single-item or non-specific measures. The study concludes that advancing the field requires greater conceptual and psychometric standardization, longitudinal and mixed-methods designs, and disaggregated analyses that reflect the diversity within LGBTQIA+ populations. These advances are essential to strengthen the evidence base and to inform more precise prevention, intervention, and policy responses to LGBTQphobic cyberbullying.