Prediction of cyberbullying based on impulsivity, Moral disengagement and dark personality traits in adolescents with addiction to cyberspace

The purpose of this study was to predict cyberbullying based on impulsivity, moral disengagement, and dark personality traits in adolescents with cyberspace addiction. The descriptive research method was correlation type. The statistical population of the research included all students in the second year of high school in Ardabil City in the academic year 2021-2022. The study sample consisted of 112 students who were addicted to cyberspace and were selected by purposive sampling. Collecting data using questionnaires of dependence on mobile-based virtual networks (AMQBSN) (Khwaja-Ahmadi et al., 2015), Cyber-Bullying/Victimization Experiences Questionnaire (CBVEQ), (Antoniadou et al., 2016), Moral Disengagement Scale (MDS) (Bandura et al., 1996), Barat Impulsivity Inventory (BIS-11) (Patton et al., 1995) and dark triad of personality (DTP) (Johnson and Webster, 2010). The data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that there is a positive and significant correlation between impulsivity(P<0.01), moral disengagement (P<0.01), and dark personality traits (Machiavellianism, anti-socialism, and narcissism) (P<0.01) with cyberbullying. Also, 35% of cyberbullying of teenagers with cyberspace dependence is explained by impulsivity, moral disengagement, and dark personality traits (P<0.05). The obtained results showed that impulsivity, moral disengagement, and dark personality traits play a significant role in predicting cyberbullying in adolescents with cyberspace addiction.