Personality Traits, Gender, Parenting Styles and Cyberbullying: A Quantitative Study of In-School Adolescents in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This present study examines the predictive role of personality, gender, and parenting styles on cyberbullying victimization among in-school adolescents. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized in this study. Participants (N = 356) ranged in age from 10 to 17 years (Mean age = 14.77; SD = 2.91) and were selected from four secondary schools in Osun state, Southwestern, Nigeria. Results of correlation analyses showed significant positive relationships between extraversion and cyberbullying victimization r(354) = .53, p < .05 and openness to experience and cyberbullying victimization r(354) = .13, p < .05.Multiple regression analyses revealed that extraversion (β = .24, t = 2.49, 95% CI = [−.079, −.073]) and openness to experience traits (β = .16, t = 2.36, 95% CI = [.181, .201]) independently predicted cyberbullying victimization. Additionally, t-test analyses indicated that there was no gender difference in the level of cyberbullying victimization among in-school adolescents t(354) = −0.61, p = .>.05 95% CI (−.2.11, .14), p > .05.These findings suggest that psychologists should consider the role of personality traits (extraversion and openness to experience) when organizing programs focused on reducing cyberbullying victimization among in-school adolescents.

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely thank the participants in this study. Appreciation goes to research assistants who assisted in collecting data for the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.