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

Abstract

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.