Dark Triad of Personality, Bullying, and Cyberbullying in Ecuadorian Adolescents: A Psychological Network Analysis
Keywords:
adolescence, bullying, cyberbullying, networks, dark triad of personalityAbstract
Objective: To analyze the connections between the Dark Triad of Personality (DTP), bullying, and cyberbullying (CB) through network analysis in a sample of Ecuadorian adolescents. Method: The study was based on a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design using network analysis. Participants: The sample consisted of 847 adolescents aged 16 to 19 years (M = 17.19, SD = 0.88), of whom 55.8% were female and 44.2% were male. They were enrolled in a pre-university program in the city of Ambato, originating from educational institutions in the provinces of Tungurahua and Cotopaxi. Results: DTP, bullying, and CB formed a dense, precise, and stable network comprising 29 nodes and 62 edges. The three theoretical communities were clearly identified within the network. It exhibited "small-world" network characteristics, making symptom activation and transmission fast and efficient. This suggests comorbidity among the communities. Conclusion: DTP, bullying, and CB constitute a symptomatic ecosystem that manifests in face-to-face and virtual perpetration behaviors among adolescents in Ecuador.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rodrigo Moreta Herrera, Mauricio Núñez-Núñez, Jose A Rodas (Author)
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