Associations Between Cyberbullying Perpetration and the Cluster B Personality Disorders Among University Students in Iran and the United States

Abstract

This study examined how cluster B personality disorder traits (borderline, histrionic, antisocial, and narcissistic) relate to cyberbullying perpetration among young adults (18 to 21) in Iran and the United States controlling for face-to-face bullying perpetration. It also explored the roles of gender and cultural differences in these associations. A sample of 380 Iranian and 408 American participants completed questionnaires on Cluster B personality traits, cyberbullying perpetration, and face-to-face bullying perpetration. Results from the MANOVA indicated that American young adults reported higher rates of cyberbullying perpetration than Iranian young adults. Significant cultural differences were also observed for Cluster B personality traits, with higher levels of antisocial, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorder traits among American participants, whereas Iranian participants reported higher borderline personality disorder traits. Gender differences were observed for antisocial personality traits, and a significant Country × Gender interaction was found for borderline personality disorder traits. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that antisocial personality disorder trait was significantly associated with cyberbullying perpetration in both countries, with a stronger effect in the United States.