Latent Profile Analysis of Cyberbullying, Depression, and Social Support Among Turkish Adolescents: Role of Demographic Characteristics

Purpose: Cyberbullying is a significant threat to adolescent well-being, yet most research has used variable-centered approaches that fail to capture the complex interplay of behaviors and psychosocial factors. A person-centered approach is needed to identify how these factors cluster together within distinct subgroups of adolescents. The aim of the study is to identify distinct psychosocial profiles among Turkish adolescents by exploring how cyberbullying behaviors (cyber victimization, bullying) cluster together with psychosocial factors (depression and perceived social support). Method: The study utilized Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) on a sample of 592 Turkish adolescents. Findings: The results of the study yielded three distinct profiles: a large uninvolved (low-risk) group, a bully (perpetration-focused) group and a bully-victim (high-risk) group. The analysis revealed the critical protective influence of perceived social support and the significant risk associated with depression. Regarding demographic characteristics, gender was the only significant demographic variable, with the bully profile being predominantly male (69.2%), while age and grade level did not significantly differ across profiles. Conclusion: The findings advance researchers’ understanding by demonstrating that these are not just behavioral roles but distinct, complex psychosocial profiles. This distinction is crucial for mental health professionals and schools, as it indicates that the bully and bully-victim groups require different preventive and developmental intervention strategies