Cyberbullying and Cybervictimization: The Role of Parental Psychological Control and Dark Triad

Danilo Calaresi (), Valeria Verrastro, Fiorenza Giordano and Valeria Saladino
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Danilo Calaresi: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Valeria Verrastro: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Fiorenza Giordano: Department of Human, Social and Health Sciences, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Viale dell’Università, 03043 Cassino, Italy
Valeria Saladino: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: The rising prevalence of cyberbullying in online environments has raised concerns about the well-being and safety of individuals. The objective of this research is to explore if the dark triad traits (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) function as mediators in the connections between maternal psychological control, paternal psychological control, cyberbullying, and cybervictimization. A sample of 1016 young adults participated in an online survey, providing self-reported data. The results revealed complex relationships among the variables examined. While most direct and indirect links were statistically significant, the direct connection between maternal psychological control and cyberbullying was significant only when paternal psychological control was not simultaneously included as a predictor. Furthermore, narcissism’s mediating effects were beneficial when Machiavellianism and psychopathy were excluded and negative otherwise. The results highlight that individuals with high degrees of parental psychological control are more prone to engage in manipulative actions and lack empathy, leading to cyberbullying and cybervictimization. Future research should disentangle the distinct roles of maternal and paternal control, investigate the interplay among dark triad traits in different social contexts, and consider how peer dynamics and digital environments may amplify or mitigate these effects.

Keywords: parental psychological control; dark triad traits; cyberbullying; cybervictimization; emerging adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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