Comparing Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy in Predicting Cyberbullying Behaviour among Malaysian Secondary School Students

Cyberbullying has become a growing concern among adolescents due to the increasing use of digital technologies and social media platforms. Previous studies have indicated that Dark Triad personality traits, namely Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy, are associated with aggressive online behaviours. However, limited studies have compared the relative influence of these traits on cyberbullying behaviour among Malaysian secondary school students. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy on cyberbullying behaviour and to identify the strongest predictor among these personality traits. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed involving 389 secondary school students selected through random sampling. Data were collected using standardised instruments and analysed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The findings revealed that all three Dark Triad personality traits were positively and significantly associated with cyberbullying behaviour. Furthermore, all three traits significantly predicted cyberbullying behaviour, with psychopathy emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by Machiavellianism and Narcissism. The regression model explained 58.1% of the variance in cyberbullying behaviour (R² = .581), with psychopathy emerging as the strongest predictor (β = .520), followed by Machiavellianism (β = .265) and narcissism (β = .200). The findings highlight the importance of Dark Triad personality traits, particularly psychopathy, in understanding cyberbullying behaviour among adolescents and provide useful insights for developing effective prevention and intervention programmes in schools.

Cyberbullying, Dark Triad, Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, Adolescents, Malaysia.

1. Alavi, M., Latif, A. A., Ramayah, T., & Tan, J. Y. (2023). Dark Tetrad Of Personality, Cyberbullying, And Cybertrolling Among Young Adults. Current Psychology, 42(32), 28441–28451. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S12144-022-03892-4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Blötner, C., & Bergold, S. (2023). The Machiavellian bully revisited: A closer look at differences and processes of Machiavellian bullying and cyberbullying perpetration. Aggressive Behavior, 49(6), 568–579. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22095 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., Andjelovic, T., & Paulhus, D. L. (2019). Internet trolling and everyday sadism: Parallel effects on pain perception and moral judgment. Journal of Personality, 87(2), 328–340. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12393 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Craker, N., & March, E. (2016). The Dark Side Of Facebook®: The Dark Tetrad, Negative Social Potency, And Trolling Behaviours. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Duradoni, M., Gursesli, M. C., Martucci, A., Gonzalez Ayarza, I. Y., Colombini, G., & Guazzini, A. (2023). Dark personality traits and counterproductive work behavior: A PRISMA systematic review. Psychological Reports. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00332941231219921 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Fan, C., Chu, X., Zhang, M., & Zhou, Z. (2019). Are narcissists more likely to be involved in cyberbullying? Examining the mediating role of self-esteem. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(15), 3127–3150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516666531 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Fan, C., Chu, X., Zhang, M., & Zhou, Z. (2023). The effects of covert narcissism on Chinese college students’ cyberbullying: The mediation of hostile attribution bias and the moderation of self-control. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04989-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Furnham, A., Richards, S. C., & Paulhus, D. L. (2013). The Dark Triad of personality: A 10-year review. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 7(3), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12018 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Goodboy, A. K., & Martin, M. M. (2015). The personality profile of a cyberbully: Examining the Dark Triad. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.02.052 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Gunnoo, A., Jackson, M., & Saling, L. L. (2024). The Dark Triad, dating app use and online disinhibition positively predict technology-facilitated sexual violence perpetration. Journal of Criminology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/26338076241254844 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2019). Cyberbullying: identification, prevention, and response (2nd ed.). Cyberbullying Research Center. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hoareau, N., Bagès, C., Allaire, M., & Guerrien, A. (2019). The role of psychopathic traits and moral disengagement in cyberbullying among adolescents. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 29(5–6), 321–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.2135 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Javed, M., Zubair, A., Niazi, N. B., & Aslam, I. (2025). Effects of Machiavellianism on cyberbullying perpetration: Serial mediating role of perceived social support and problematic internet use among university students. Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 18(3). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Jones, D. N., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Introducing the Short Dark Triad (SD3): A brief measure of Dark personality traits. Assessment, 21(1), 28–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191113514105 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Khan, F., Limbana, T., Zahid, T., Eskander, N., & Jahan, N. (2020). Traits, trends, and trajectory of tween and teen cyberbullies. Cureus, 12(8), e9738. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.9738 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Kircaburun, K., Demetrovics, Z., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). The Dark Triad and problematic social media use: The mediating role of cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Personality and Individual Differences, 135, 264–269 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014). Bullying in the digital age: a critical review and meta-analysis of cyberbullying research among youth. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 1073–1137. https://Doi.Org/10.1037/A0035618 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Lee, J., Choo, H., Zhang, Y., Cheung, H. S., Zhang, Q., & Ang, R. P. (2025). Cyberbullying victimisation and mental health symptoms among children and adolescents: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241313051 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Leite, Â., Cardoso, S., & Monteiro, A. P. (2023). Dark personality traits and online behaviors: Portuguese versions of cyberstalking, online harassment, flaming and trolling scales. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(12), 6136. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126136 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mardhiah, A., & Salehuddin, S. (2024). Cyber-bullying in Malaysia: are current measures enough? The Malaysian Reserve. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2024/08/02/cyber-bullying-in-malaysia-are-current-measures-enough [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Menesini, E., & Nocentini, A. (2009). Cyberbullying definition and measurement: Some critical considerations. Zeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology, 217(4), 230–232. https://doi.org/10.1027/0044-3409.217.4.230 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Morf, C. C., & Rhodewalt, F. (2001). Unraveling The Paradoxes Of Narcissism: A Dynamic Self-Regulatory Processing Model. Psychological Inquiry, 12(4), 177–196. https://Doi.Org/10.1207/S15327965pli1204_1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. MyCert. (2021). MyCERT : Incident statistics - reported incidents based on general incident classification statistics 2021. Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team. https://www.mycert.org. my/portal/statistics-content?menu=b75e037d-6ee3-4d11-8169-66677d694932&id=d6545975-14ed-4e97-bed2-3ae6bd218652. Accessed 24 July 2026. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. N.Y. Muhammed, Y.A.A. Samak. The impact of cyberbullying on adolescents: Social and psychological consequences from a population demography perspective in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 7 (2025), Article 1519442. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2025.1519442 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Olweus, D., & Limber, S. P. (2018). Some problems with cyberbullying research. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 139–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Orue, I., & Calvete, E. (2019). Psychopathic traits and moral disengagement interact to predict bullying and cyberbullying among adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(11), 2313–2332. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516660302 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Pabian, S., Backer, C. J. S. D., & Vandebosch, H. (2015). Dark Triad personality traits and adolescent cyber aggression. Personality and Individual Differences, 75, 41–46 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Panatik, S. A., Abdul Raof, N. N., Nordin, N. A., Yusof, J., & Shahrin, R. (2022). effect of dark triad personality on cyberbullying behavior among Malaysian University Students. In International Conference on Social Science Studies (IConSoS 2022) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. (2002). The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 36(6), 556–563. https://doi.org/10.1006/jrpe.2002.6610. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Perenc, L. (2022). Psychopathic personality disorder and cybercriminality: An outline of the issue. Current Issues in Personality Psychology, 10(4), 253–264. https://doi.org/10.5114/cipp.2022.114205 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Peterson, J., & Densley, J. (2017). Cyber violence: What do we know and where do we go from here? Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 193–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.01.012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Ray, G., McDermott, C. D., & Nicho, M. (2024). Cyberbullying on social media: Definitions, prevalence, and impact challenges. Journal of Cybersecurity, 10(1), tyae026. https://doi.org/10.1093/cybsec/tyae026 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Richardson, M. K., Agbonlahor, O., Hart, J. L., Diaby, M., & Mattingly, D. T. (2026). Adolescent cyberbullying and polysubstance use: Unpacking sex differences. Scientific Reports, 16, 2204. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24108-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Rihhadatul Aisya, N. (2024). Cyberbullying: The silent epidemic of the digital age. Journal of World Science, 3(6), 691–697. https://doi.org/10.58344/jws.v3i6.634 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Seth, U., Ravikanti, S., & Dave, J. (2026). A review on cyberbullying and its impact on future generations. New Generation Computing, 44, 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00354-025-00313-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Sivabalan, T. V., Ahmad, Z. R., & Choo, W. Y. (2020). The prevalence of cyberbullying and its associated factors among young adoles cents in Penang, Malaysia. Journal of Health and Translational Medicine, 23(Suppl 1), 202–211 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. The Star. (2022). Malaysia is 2nd in Asia for youth cyberbullying. Star Media Group Berhad. https:// www. thestar. com. my/ news/ nation/2022/01/14/malaysia-is-2nd-in-asia-for-youth-cyberbullying. Accessed 17 May 2026 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Tokunaga, R. S. (2010). Following you home from school: A critical review and synthesis of research on cyberbullying victimisation. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(3), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2009.11.014 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Torun, G., Akgenç, F., & Öz, Y. C. (2026). The mediating effect of cyber victimisation and cyberbullying on the relationship between social media addiction and emotional and psychological well-being in adolescents. BMC Psychology, 14, 355. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04148-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Veselka, L., Schermer, J. A., & Vernon, P. A. (2012). The Dark Triad and an expanded framework of personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(4), 417–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2012.01.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Willard, N. E. (2007). Cyberbullying and cyberthreats: Responding to the challenge of online social aggression, threats, and distress. Research Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Wright, M. F. (2020). Associations between cyberbullying perpetration and the dark triad of personality traits among adolescents from China, India, and Japan. Children and Youth Services Review, 109, 104669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104669 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Xu, W., Zhao, B., & Jin, C. (2024). A meta-analysis of the relationship between personality traits and cyberbullying. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 79, 101992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2024.101992 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Yang, D., Peng, P., Tao, L., & Zhang, J. (2026). The relationship between adolescent bullying victimisation, self-control and cyberbullying: A cross-lagged panel model. BMC Psychology, 14, 277. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04062-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Yuan, G., Liu, Z., & An, Y. (2020). Machiavellianism, mindfulness and cyberbullying among Chinese junior high school students: The mediating role of empathy. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 29(9), 1047–1058. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1667467 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Zhu, C., Huang, S., Evans, R., & Zhang, W. (2021). Cyberbullying among adolescents and children: a comprehensive review of the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures. Frontiers In Public Health, 9. Https://Doi.Org/10.3389/Fpubh.2021.634909. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Zuckerman, A. (2020). 60 Cyberbullying Statistics: 2020/2021 data, insights & predictions | comparecamp.com. https://comparecamp.com/cyberbullying-statistics/. Accessed 17 Aug 2021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study