The Relationship Between Vulnerable Narcissism and Cyberbullying in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Need to Belong

Su Topbaş Z., Coşkun Yüce Z., UZDİL N., ŞİMŞEK N.

Psychology in the Schools, 2025 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/pits.23465
  • Journal Name: Psychology in the Schools
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, PASCAL, Applied Science & Technology Source, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Psycinfo
  • Keywords: cyberbullying, need to belong, vulnerable narcissism
  • Erciyes University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Cyberbullying is an expected behavior among adolescents and threatens their psychosocial health. The current cross-sectional study aims to determine the mediating role of the need to belong in the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and cyberbullying in adolescents. Study data were collected from 501 adolescents. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and mediation analysis using the PROCESS Macro Model 4. The study suggests that vulnerable narcissism in adolescents predicts cyberbullying directly and indirectly through the need to belong. Interventions are recommended to ensure that the belonging needs of adolescents at risk are met in appropriate ways.