The role of narcissistic personality traits in bullying behavior in adolescence - A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis examine the association between narcissistic personality traits in adolescents and their roles in the bullying process. The aim is to summarize the current state of research to gain insights into the bullying process. Search terms were entered into the database Web of Science. Based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant empirical studies were identified and analyzed as part of a metaanalysis. Therefore, the studies needed to examine the relationship between narcissistic personality traits and bullying. Included studies must focus on adolescents aged 12 to 18 (+/- two years). Furthermore, they should include empirical primary data, be published within the last 20 years, and be peer-reviewed publications. 25 studies were included into the narrative synthesis and 24 in the meta-analysis. The results reveal that narcissistic characteristics, in particular grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, are associated with increased involvement in bullying behavior. Grandiose narcissism is often associated with the role of the perpetrator, while vulnerable narcissism is also connected to the role of the victim and cyberbullying. Meta-analysis revealed a small positive effect between narcissism and bullying behavior. Further research is necessary to distinguish between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism in adolescence.